Dr. Cleopatra Peter's Testimony as a Concern Citizen 
 
As a resident, I want to advocate for several vital priorities: establishing state-of-the-art 
hospitals on all three islands; developing modern schools equipped with advanced 
technology for our children; improving agriculture to foster self-sustainability; ensuring 
cost-effective utility services; and building proper roads that are safe and gentle on our 
vehicles. My ultimate goal is to help make the Virgin Islands great for all of us. 
However, these aspirations remain just dreams if we do not ensure free and fair 
elections here in the Virgin Islands. I am a native Virgin Islander who left for many years 
and returned in 2018. The first election I participated in was in 2022, and I was shocked 
to see that votes were not being counted where they were cast. That is a serious 
problem. Free and fair elections are the foundation of any democracy. When citizens 
lack confidence in our electoral process, we all suffer. This is why we face issues such 
as inadequate healthcare, deteriorating schools, declining agriculture, rising utility 
costs, and infrastructure problems like terrible roads that damage vehicles and cause 
accidents—leading to loss of income and even loss of lives. 
After the November 2022 election, Senator Kurt Vialet wrote a letter to Delia Smith, the 
U.S. Attorney, raising ongoing concerns about election integrity. He began his letter by 
stating, “As you are undoubtedly aware, during the 2012 election cycle, the integrity of 
the Virgin Islands Election System was clouded by public uncertainty regarding 
irregularities and missing ballots.” He referenced a report on the 2012 general election, 
which highlighted the disappearance of approximately 3,000 ballots. Despite the 
passage of years, doubts about missing ballots and the trustworthiness of our elections 
persist. 
He further analyzed the 2022 election results, pointing out discrepancies. For example, 
at John F. Kennedy, during early voting, the Bryan/Roach team received 63 votes (52%), 
but on election day, they only received 54 votes, while the Vialet/Sarauw team’s votes 
increased from 58 (48%) to 107 (67%). These inconsistencies suggest that votes are not 
being accurately counted where they are cast. 
This letter from our current senator highlights issues from 2012 and again in 2022. 
Sadly, little has changed for the better since then. I believe the root of the problem is 
simple: “Votes need to be counted where they are cast.” It is unacceptable that a sitting 
senator, aspiring to serve at the highest levels, must write to the U.S. Attorney about 
election irregularities. When elections are unfair, it damages our pride, emotions, 
finances, families, and future generations. It hampers our ability to build hospitals, 
educate our children, and achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture. Unfair elections 
threaten our democracy and can subtly usher in authoritarian tendencies under the 
guise of democracy, which can lead to gentrification and a mass exodus from our 
territory. 
Look at what happened on September 8, 2022, when Supervisor Fawkes testified before 
this Senate. Senator Carla Joseph was the only one to inquire about the whereabouts of 
the Chairperson, as the Supervisor proposed amendments that diminished the board’s 
authority. To this day, the Supervisor has not provided documentation showing that she 
was authorized by the board to represent it. Additionally, the board has 14 members, yet 
none were present to represent its interests—was that by design? The board continues 
to face significant issues. 
In 2023, the Supervisor testified that 2024 would be the first election she would 
oversee—a role previously managed by the board. However, Title 18, Section 47 states 
that the board has jurisdiction over elections. Yet, the Supervisor claims control. This 
contradiction must be resolved by this Senate by March. The responsibility for fair 
elections must be clear. 
We must work diligently to amend or repeal segments of Act 8690 that diminish the 
power of the board and ensure that elections are free, fair, and transparent here in the 
Virgin Islands.  
In conclusion, I strongly support Bill 36-0187, “Votes need to be counted where they are 
cast.” Our children and elders depend on it, and our democracy needs it. With free and 
fair elections, we will be able to enjoy state-of-the-art hospitals on all three islands, 
modern schools with advanced technology, sustainable agriculture, cost-effective 
utility services, and proper roads that are safe and gentle on our vehicles.  
Let us work together to make these Virgin Islands great for ALL-A-WE! 
Thank you. 
Dr. Cleopatra Peter