Elections chief corrects false claims about ballot marking

Caroline Fawkes, the Supervisor of Elections for the US Virgin Islands, has issued a statement to counter false information spreading online about ballot handling procedures.

An online post has claimed that ballots lose validity if election personnel write or make marks on them. Fawkes rejected this assertion in a statement released Wednesday.

"Claims suggesting that a ballot is automatically invalidated solely because of a notation, mark, or handling by election personnel do not accurately reflect election administration practices," Fawkes said. She emphasized that election law and established safeguards govern how ballots are managed to preserve their integrity.

Staff at the Elections System of the Virgin Islands undergo training in the proper procedures for handling, processing and protecting ballots, Fawkes explained. She noted that election officials do not mark ballots as part of their duties, and personnel are trained to follow approved protocols.

Fawkes cautioned voters against trusting unverified election information found on social media. "Accepting unreliable information, such as those that lack context or originate from unofficial sources, can cause confusion about election laws and procedures," she said.

Voters seeking reliable details about elections should visit the ESVI website or reach out to the Elections office. The St. Croix District office can be contacted at (340) 773-1021, and the St. Thomas-St. John District office at (340) 774-3107.