Voting Rights Guide: US Virgin Islands (VI)
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Voting Rights Guide: US Virgin Islands (VI)

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Voting Rights Guide: US Virgin Islands (VI)

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IMPORTANT: Voting laws change frequently. Always verify information with official government sources before acting. This guide was last updated: 2026-07-30. If you find an error, report it immediately.

Jurisdiction Type: Territory

Table of Contents

  1. Voter Registration
  2. Birth Certificates
  3. Proof of Citizenship Documents
  4. How to Vote
  5. Voting Laws & Legal Resources
  6. If You Are Denied the Right to Vote
  7. Resources & Contacts

Voter Registration

Same-Day Registration: NO — you must register before Election Day.

Registration Deadline: 30 days before Election Day Photo ID Required to Register: Yes Accepted IDs: Valid US Passport, Certified Copy of US Birth Certificate, Military Discharge Certificate, Certificate of Naturalization

Registration Links

Notes: Copied documents will not be accepted for registration. You must live in the precinct where you vote for at least 30 days prior to the election.

Birth Certificates

A birth certificate may be needed to prove citizenship or obtain other identity documents.

Issuing Agency: Virgin Islands Department of Health, Office of Vital Records and Statistics Fee: $15.00 for birth certificate by mail, $12.00 in person; $6.00 for birth verification Standard Processing Time: verify Expedited Option: verify

How to Request

  • Request Online
  • By Mail: St. Thomas/St. John District: 1303 Hospital Ground, Suite 10, St. Thomas, VI 00802; St. Croix District: 4006 Estate Diamond, Suite 104, St. Croix, VI 00820

Notes: Applications must be notarized if submitted by mail. Must submit to the district where birth occurred. Walk-in service available 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. No personal checks accepted – money orders only. Birth verification provides name and date of birth only; birth certificate provides name, date of birth, gender, place of birth, and parents’ names.

Proof of Citizenship Documents

You may need proof of citizenship to register to vote or to obtain a REAL ID.

Accepted Documents

  • US Passport
  • Birth certificate (certified copy)
  • Naturalization Certificate
  • Military Discharge form (DD214/DD217)
  • Certificate of Naturalization

How to Obtain Citizenship Proof

Contact the US Virgin Islands Passport Division at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for citizenship documentation. For birth certificates, contact the city, county or state vital records office where you were born. For naturalization certificates, file form N-565 with USCIS to replace lost naturalization documents. Military discharge forms can be obtained from the National Personnel Records Center.

For US Citizens Abroad

US citizens abroad can obtain proof of citizenship through US embassies or consulates. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides guidance for overseas voters, including how to submit citizenship documentation with voter registration forms via secure transmission methods when registering from abroad.

Notes: When submitting documents for voter registration, provide copies only – do not send original documents. If submitting by email, fax, or online, use the most secure transmission method available to protect personal information. All accepted documents must clearly establish US citizenship status.

How to Vote

Voting in Person

Photo ID Required: Yes Polls Open: 7am-7pm Find Your Polling Place

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Find your polling place location
  2. Step 2: Go to your assigned polling place on Election Day
  3. Step 3: Check in with poll workers
  4. Step 4: Cast your ballot

Voting by Mail

Mail voting is available — no excuse required. Application Deadline: Request mail ballot by October 20, 2026 for general election Ballot Return Deadline: Must be sent by 7pm on Election Day and received by the 10th day after election Request Mail Ballot

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Request mail ballot by deadline
  2. Step 2: Complete ballot when received
  3. Step 3: Return ballot by 7pm on Election Day – must be received within 10 days after election

Voting by Absentee Ballot

Excuse Required: Yes Accepted Excuses:

  • verify – specific excuses not detailed in sources

Application Deadline: Request mail ballot by October 20, 2026 for general election, or request email/fax ballot by 5pm on Election Day Absentee Ballot Application

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Verify you meet eligibility requirements
  2. Step 2: Request absentee ballot by deadline
  3. Step 3: Complete and return ballot by 7pm on Election Day

Early Voting

Early voting is available. Begins: verify days before Election Day Find Early Voting Locations

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Verify early voting availability and locations
  2. Step 2: Go to designated early voting location during available hours
  3. Step 3: Cast your ballot

Voting Laws & Legal Resources

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, voters must be U.S. citizens and residents of the territory. To register, you must provide proof of citizenship including a birth certificate, U.S. passport, military discharge certificate, or naturalization certificate (original documents required, not copies). Voter registration must be completed at least 30 days before an election. On Election Day, polls are open from 7am to 7pm. ID is only required if you are a first-time voter or your registration is incomplete – acceptable forms include a voter ID card (issued when you register), driver’s license, U.S. passport, or any government-issued ID. If you have completed a felony sentence including incarceration, parole, and restitution, your voting rights are restored.

Recent Law Changes

  • verify: verify
  • Impact: verify

Voting Rights Law Firms

If You Are Denied the Right to Vote

Know your rights. You have the right to vote if you are eligible. If denied, do NOT leave — ask for a provisional ballot.

Denied Enroute to the Polling Place

  1. Step 1: Contact the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for immediate assistance
  2. Step 2: Contact the VI Board of Elections in your district for guidance on reaching your polling location
  3. Step 3: If transportation issues persist, ask about alternative voting options or extended polling hours

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 866-687-8683 — Call immediately if prevented from reaching polls

Denied at the Polling Place

  1. Step 1: Ask for a provisional ballot if your name is not on the voter roll
  2. Step 2: Confirm you are registered to vote at your current address
  3. Step 3: Confirm you are at the correct polling place
  4. Step 4: If registered and at correct location, do not leave – call Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683
  5. Step 5: Contact VI Board of Elections, Supervisor of Elections, or US Attorney’s Office if you believe voting rights were violated

Provisional Ballot: verify

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 866-687-8683 — Call if denied the right to vote
  • Spanish Language Hotline 888-839-8682 — For Spanish-speaking voters

Mail Ballot Denied or Not Received

  1. Step 1: Contact the VI Board of Elections to verify mail voting eligibility and procedures
  2. Step 2: Call Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683 if denied mail voting options
  3. Step 3: Consider voting in person if mail voting is not available

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 866-687-8683 — For mail voting issues

Absentee Ballot Denied

  1. Step 1: Verify eligibility for absentee voting with VI Board of Elections
  2. Step 2: Contact Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683 if improperly denied absentee ballot
  3. Step 3: Explore in-person voting options if absentee voting unavailable

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 866-687-8683 — For absentee voting denial issues

Denied During Early Voting

  1. Step 1: Contact VI Board of Elections to verify early voting availability and procedures
  2. Step 2: Call Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683 if early voting is improperly denied
  3. Step 3: Plan for Election Day voting if early voting is not available

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 866-687-8683 — For early voting access issues

Resources & Contacts

Official State Resources

National Voting Rights Resources

News Organizations to Contact

Social Media Contacts

  • verify: verify (verify)

Sources

This guide was compiled from the following sources:

  • https://vote.gov/
  • https://www.fvap.gov/
  • https://www.vivote.gov/
  • https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id
  • https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/absentee-and-early-voting
  • https://866ourvote.org/
  • https://www.eac.gov/virgin-islands-voter-info
  • https://vivote.gov/voters/register-to-vote
  • https://ruvoting.rutgers.edu/states/u-s-virgin-islands
  • https://www.usvotefoundation.org/state-voter-information/virgin-islands
  • https://www.fvap.gov/guide/chapter2/virgin-islands
  • https://doh.vi.gov/programs/vital-records-statistics
  • https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/virgin_islands.htm
  • https://doh.vi.gov/pantheon/Birth%20Application%20Edited%206-27-22.pdf
  • https://respectmyvote.com/voter-info/us-virgin-islands
  • https://www.fvap.gov/virgin-islands
  • https://vivote.gov/voters/voters-rights-responsibilities
  • https://usafacts.org/articles/how-do-voting-laws-differ-by-state
  • https://perkinscoie.com/services/political-law-litigation
  • https://stranchlaw.com/practice-areas/election-law

Last Updated: 2026-07-30 | Generated by Patriot Agent Voting Rights Knowledge Base

Verify all information with official government sources before acting.

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