Democratic Party Sues Election System, Says Primary Process Ignores Federal Court Ruling

The Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands has sued the territory’s Election System, arguing that election officials are moving ahead with preparations for the August 1 primary without implementing the party’s own election and certification plan — a plan the party says it adopted after a 2024 federal court ruling struck down several Virgin Islands elections laws as unconstitutional. At the center of the dispute is whether the Election System can continue using an approach the Democrats say ignores the court’s ruling and unlawfully interferes with the party’s ability to choose its own candidates for the November general election. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in District Court, names the Election System of the Virgin Islands, Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes, and Board of Elections Chair Raymond Williams as defendants. According to the civil complaint, ESVI appears to be preparing to conduct this year’s primary election without taking into account the Democratic Party’s submitt...