>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ >>> GOOD DAY, AND WELCOME TO "ABLE TO RAISE."

I´M YOUR HOST AMELIA HEAVEN LAMONT OF THE DISABILITY RIGHTS CENTER, VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND TODAY WE´RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC, SOMETHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH CIVICS.

AND WHAT DO WE MEAN BY CIVICS?

THAT´S THE STUDY OF THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENS IN A SOCIETY.

AND SADLY, KNOWLEDGE OF CIVICS HAS NOT BEEN PERMEATED AS MUCH IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE UNITED STATES AS A WHOLE.

SO, I´M DELIGHTED TO WELCOME AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS THE ST. CROIX DEPUTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, WHOSE FUNCTION IS TO DEAL WITH VOTING.

THAT´S A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE THAT A CITIZEN PLAYS IN OUR SOCIETY.

SO, TERRELL ALEXANDER, WELCOME TO "ABLE TO RAISE."

>> GOOD DAY, ATTORNEY LAMONT, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON THIS SHOW.

WE´RE VERY EXCITED TO SHARE INFORMATION.

>> WE KNOW YOU´RE GOING TO BE VERY BUSY THIS YEAR, THIS BEING -- >> IT HAS BEEN.

>> I´M SURE IT HAS.

SO, YOU KNOW, WHAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL, IF YOU COULD JUST PRETTY MUCH BRING US UP TO SPEED ON WHAT THE WORK IS INVOLVED.

FIRST OFF, LET´S TALK ABOUT THIS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A DEPUTY SUPERVISOR OR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS?

WHAT´S INVOLVED?

>> A LOT OF WORK.

TOO MUCH WORK.

SO, PART OF THE PROCESS IS OVERVIEWING THE CANDIDATES WHENEVER THEY SUBMIT THEIR DOCUMENTS FOR NOMINATION, THEIR PAPERS, WHICH WE´RE GOING OVER RIGHT NOW.

WE´RE LOOKING OVER THE PAPERWORK SUPPLIED TO US TO ENSURE THEY DO, ONE, MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS, AND THAT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR THE PUBLIC OFFICE AMONG THE OTHER THINGS RUNNING THE OFFICES, ENSURING THE VOTERS ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

AND I GUESS THEY APPEAR ON LISTS, ONE THING THAT WE DO.

BUT IT´S A LOT OF WORK THAT WE GET DONE AND WE DO GENERAL WORK.

IT´S A TEAM EFFORT.

IT´S NOT JUST ME ALONE OR THE SUPERVISOR.

WE DO HAVE STAFF MEMBERS THAT WE APPRECIATE A LOT THAT MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.

>> I´M CURIOUS BECAUSE YOU´RE YOUNG.

>> YES.

>> YES.

WERE YOU TAUGHT CIVICS IN SCHOOL WHEN YOU WERE IN, LET´S SAY, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL?

>> THERE WAS A COURSE -- THERE WOULD BE A BRIEF -- THERE WOULD BE A HISTORY COURSE, A BRIEF COURSE.

IT WOULDN´T BE -- I CAN´T -- IT WOULDN´T BE GREAT DETAILS.

IT WOULD BE A BRIEF COURSE.

YOU COME IN AN HOUR A WEEK AND SPEAK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING, VOTING RIGHTS, WHY IT´S IMPORTANT.

NEVER LIKE A DEDICATED COURSE ON WHY YOU SHOULD REGISTER TO VOTE.

>> INTERESTING.

OKAY.

>> AND WE DO HAVE THAT CHALLENGE OF GETTING YOUNGER VOTERS TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND.

I JUST THINK THEY DON´T UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING.

THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE TO WALK FOR MILES TO REGISTER TO VOTE.

AND THEN THEY ARE PREVENTED FROM VOTING.

AND HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE DON´T HAVE THOSE BARRIERS.

AND VOTING IS EVEN EASIER.

>> RIGHT.

SO, I RECALL HAVING THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE THE ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TO ENCOURAGE OR PROMOTE YOUNGER PARTICIPATION?

LET´S SAY THERE´S A SOCIAL P EVENT.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WHEN WE DO THAT, THE AVERAGE PERSON IS NOT WALKING AROUND WITH A U.S.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR A U.S. PASSPORT OR U.S. NATIONALIZATION.

IF YOU DO GIVE THEM ADVANCED NOTICE, THEY´RE JUST NOT INTERESTED ENOUGH TO SAY, OKAY, LET ME WORK WITH THIS JUST IN CASE TOO SO I CAN REGISTER TO VOTE.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

SO, YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM INFORMATION SO THAT THEY CAN BE PREPARED.

>> CORRECT.

AND THEN WHEN THEY COME TO OUR FACILITY, WHEN THEY DO REGISTER TO VOTE AND IT´S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, THEY JUST REGISTER TO VOTE AND GET THAT PICTURE ID AND NEVER LOOK BACK.

THAT´S SOMETHING WE´RE TRYING TO DISCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS FROM DOING.

IT´S JUST NOT A PICTURE ID.

IT´S AN ACTUAL VOTING ID.

THERE´S A LOT OF IMPORTANCE TO AN ID.

IF I´M GOING TO TAKE A TRIP NEXT WEEK, I NEED AN ID TO CATCH A FLIGHT, I´M GOING TO COME TO ELECTIONS OFFICE TO GET THAT ID.

AND THAT GOES THROUGH THE REGULAR CIVIC DUTIES.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

THAT´S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS, I THINK.

>> WE ARE WORKING ON IT.

AT THE SAME TIME, IT WILL TAKE A COMMUNITY EFFORT TO GET THAT DONE.

SOMEONE WILL DO AS MUCH AS THEY WANT TO DO.

IF THEY´RE JUST NOT AS INTERESTED, THEN YOU´RE NOT GOING TO GET ANY PLACE.

>> RIGHT.

SO, WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS YOU WOULD GET?

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS YOU GET?

>> WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO REGISTER TO VOTE?

WHERE OUR OFFICES ARE LOCATED?

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.

CAN I REGISTER TO VOTE AND GO SOMEPLACE ELSE TO REGISTER TO VOTE?

>> THAT´S AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.

>> THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES IF YOU DO THAT.

COLUMBIA IS ONE JURISDICTION.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU CANNOT LIVE IN ST. CROIX AND GO ELSEWHERE TO REGISTER.

IN THE UNITED STATES YOU COULD ALWAYS GO BACK AND FORTH.

YOU COULD ALWAYS MOVE FROM ST. CROIX TO FLORIDA AND REGISTER TO VOTE THERE.

BUT THEN YOU JUST HAVE TO CANCEL YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION.

AND AGAIN, THAT PROCESS IS A SIMPLE PROCESS.

SO, WE DO ENCOURAGE -- AND YOU HAVE TO BE MINDFUL YOU´RE AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED TO BE A REGISTERED VOTER.

SO, GO AHEAD AND GET CAUGHT UP ON THOSE SITUATIONS.

LET´S SAY THE DRIVER´S LICENSE EXPIRED ONE DAY.

AND A DRIVER´S LICENSE JUST TO GET BACK HERE TO ST. CROIX, WE GET THAT NOTICE FROM FLORIDA.

ONCE WE GET THAT NOTIFICATION, INDIVIDUAL GOES OUT TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY AND NO LONGER ON THE LIST.

AND THAT IS JUST BECAUSE THAT INDIVIDUAL JUST GOT A DRIVER´S LICENSE TRYING TO COME BACK HOME.

SO, YOU JUST HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF THE LAWS OF WHERE YOU GO REGARDING DRIVER´S LICENSES.

SOME OF THEM WILL TELL YOU, AND SOME OF THEM OVERLOOK IT BECAUSE THEY THINK THAT´S NOT IMPORTANT FOR YOU.

AND THAT´S SOMETHING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS BEEN.

VOTING IS EVERY TWO YEARS HERE.

SO, NOT AS IN THE STATES WHERE THEY VOTE EVERY YEAR OR EVERY COUPLE MONTHS THERE´S AN ELECTION.

SO, YOU HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF THOSE DIFFERENT RULES AND REGULATIONS WHEN YOU GO AWAY.

>> THAT´S IMPORTANT.

THAT´S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

SO, TYPICALLY WHAT KINDS OF POSITIONS ARE PRESENTED DURING AN ELECTION CYCLE?

LET´S TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT QUESTION FOR ME, PLEASE?

>> YEAH.

WHAT KIND OF POSITIONS ARE PLACED ON THE BALLOT DURING THE COURSE OF A TYPICAL ELECTION YEAR THAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT AND SAY THIS INDIVIDUAL IS ELIGIBLE OR NOT OR HAS ENOUGH SIGNATURES OR NOT.

?

WHAT DOES THE TYPICAL BALLOT CONSIST OF?

>> THE ELECTION DAY BALLOT OR -- >> YES, YES.

>> OKAY.

THE ELECTION DAY BALLOT DEPENDS -- SO, THIS -- LIKE MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS YEAR IS A GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION.

GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS HAPPEN EVERY FOUR YEARS.

SO, THIS YEAR WE HAVE THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE ON THE BALLOT.

YOU ALSO HAVE THE DELEGATE IN CONGRESS, WHICH RUNS EVERY TWO YEARS.

THE LEGISLATURE RUNS EVERY TWO YEARS AS WELL.

BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT RUNS EVERY TWO YEARS.

THE MEMBERS FOR THOSE -- THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND BOARD OF ELECTION, THEY RUN EVERY TWO YEARS.

THERE´S ALWAYS A SET THAT RUNS EVERY TWO YEARS, BUT THEY SERVE FOUR-YEAR TERMS.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ELECTION IN 2022 WILL NOT BE UP FOR RE-ELECTION UNTIL 2026.

THE BALLOT MAY CONSIST OF A REFERENDUM.

THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT COMES OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, NO REFERENDUM IN THE BALLOT.

SO, WHATEVER LEGISLATURE DECIDES FOR THE REFERENDUM, THEY CAN DO SO AT THE WILL.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

SO, LET´S SAY I DON´T KNOW WHERE MY VOTING PRECINCT IS.

WHAT DOES AN INDIVIDUAL NEED TO DO TO GET AN ANSWER TO THOSE KINDS OF QUESTIONS?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

IT´S A SIMPLE PROCESS.

EVERYTHING IS SIMPLE WITHIN THE ELECTION SYSTEM.

YOU COULD ALWAYS GO TO THE WEBSITE.

BUT LET´S SAY YOU´RE NOT TECHNICALLY, YOU CAN GO TO THE OFFICE AND THEY´LL ASK YOU FOR BASIC QUESTIONS, YOUR DATE OF BIRTH AND LAST FOUR OF YOUR SOCIAL AND YOUR NAME.

WE COULD LOOK UP THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU.

BUT THE VOTER LOOKUP ONLINE IS YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME, THE YEAR OF BIRTH -- NOW, THIS IS IMPORTANT, THE YEAR OF BIRTH.

YOUR YEAR OF BIRTH AND THEN THIS IS ALSO IMPORTANT, THE PHYSICAL ADDRESS.

SO, THAT´S THE ZIP CODE.

IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE HAVE -- IN ST. KROIS WE HAVE 00820, 00850, AND 00840.

THOSE ARE THE POSSIBILITIES YOU COULD PUT IN.

THE WEBSITE WE SHOW TO THE OFFICE AND DEFINE ALL THAT INFORMATION.

IF YOU WANT TO STOP BY, THEN I WOULD STOP BY TO THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION.

IF YOU HAD A CHANCE IN YOUR ADDRESS BECAUSE THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO REGISTER AT 18 YEARS OLD AND SHOW THAT THE LIFETIME DID NOT -- BUT THE INFORMATION WILL ALWAYS REFLECT THE INFORMATION THAT YOU HAD AT 18 YEARS OLD.

SO, THE CHANGES YOU MADE, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME INTO THE OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.

ONLY TIME YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE THAT CHANGE IS THREE DAYS BEFORE ELECTION BECAUSE REGISTRATION HAS TO BE CUT OFF DURING THAT PERIOD.

>> AND THE OFFICE -- AGAIN, LET´S IDENTIFY WHERE YOUR OFFICE IS.

I THINK PERHAPS A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN´T REALIZE THERE´S BEEN A CHANGE OF LOCATION.

>> IN THE ST. CROIX DISTRICT, OUR OFFICE MOVED TO THE -- SHOPPING CENTER WHERE PHARMA WAS LOCATED BEFORE ITS CURRENT LOCATION.

IN ST. THOMAS WE´RE NEAR THE GARDENS.

IN ST. JOHN WE´RE LOCATED IN THE MARKETPLACE.

AND WE´RE TYPICALLY 9:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M., TRADITIONAL DAYS AND HOURS.

>> GOOD, GOOD.

SO, GIVE US SOME UPDATES.

WHAT´S NEW WITH ELECTIONS, AND WHAT ARE SOME IMPORTANT DATES WE IN THE PUBLIC NEED TO KNOW ABOUT?

>> SO, SOME NEW DATES, IMPORTANT DATES, EVERYBODY SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

THE NEXT ONE THAT´S COMING UP, IT IS THE PRIME ELECTION, WHICH THE PRIME ELECTION IS SCHEDULED 2022, ALWAYS THE AUGUST 2022.

THE PRIME ELECTION WILL BE JULY 7.

AND OF COURSE THE OFFICE WILL HAVE EXTENDED HOURS ON DAYS TO ALLOW TO COME OUT TO VOTE.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO REGISTER TO VOTE.

DO SO AS ONCE YOU HAVE TIME.

ALSO WE WILL BE HAVING EARLY VOTING.

EARLY VOTING IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 18 TO AUGUST 1, 2022.

JUST LISTEN OUT TO THE LOCATIONS AND THE HOURS.

WE ARE WORKING TO FINALIZE THOSE PLACES AND HOPE TO GET A SCHEDULE OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET THE EARLY VOTE AND THE ABSENTEE.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, YOU MUST HAVE A REASON FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

WE ARE WORKING TO GET A NO EXCUSE SIMILAR TO 2020.

IT´S IN THE PROCESS OF BEING WORKED ON.

HOPEFULLY IT IS DONE BEFORE THE PRIMARY.

WE ARE WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO GET IT COMPETED.

THE ELECTION IS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022.

REGISTER TO VOTE FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION IS OCTOBER 9.

AND, AGAIN, WE WILL EXTENDED HOURS TO ENSURE ANY QUALIFIED REGISTRANT WILL BE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

WE WILL HAVE EARLY VOTING, AND THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 10 TO OCTOBER 21, 2022.

JUST LOOK FOR THE DATES AND TIMES FOR THOSE LOCATIONS.

AND IF THE RUNOFF, THE RUNOFF IS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22.

WE DO HAVE EARLY VOTING SCHEDULED.

THAT WOULD BE THE WEEKEND BEFORE.

THAT WOULD WITH NOVEMBER 19-20, 2022.

SO, AGAIN, THIS IS THE DATES AND TIMES.

THERE´S A LOT OF NEW STUFF CURRENTLY ONGOING.

>> I´M EXCITED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT POLLING PLACES.

LET´S HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> OKAY.

SO, AS OF RIGHT NOW WE´RE NO LONGER USING POLLING PLACES.

WE´RE GOING TOWARDS A VOTER CENTER.

PEOPLE ASK WHAT IS A VOTING CENTER.

WHAT IT ALLOWS, YOU CAN VOTE AT ANY LOCATION.

NO LONGER YOU´RE RESTRICTED TO A SPECIFIC VOTING PLACE.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE PAST, I LIVE IN FREDRICKSON, BUT I WORK IN CHRISTIANSON.

BY THE TIME I FINISH WORK, IT´S TOO LATE TO GET DOWN.

SO, WE HAVE TO ISSUE A BALLOT TO ALLOW YOU TO VOTE IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

NO LONGER YOU CAN VOTE IN ANY LOCATION.

THAT ALSO DOES APPLY TO EARLY VOTING.

LET´S SAY YOU WANT TO GET THAT VOTE AND EXPERIENCE A LOCATION TO KIND OF GET A RECEPTACLE, THE INDIVIDUAL CAMPAIGNING, THE ATMOSPHERE IS JUST RIGHT AND YOU JUST WANTED THE VOTE AT THAT LOCATION.

AND THAT IS TERRITORY WIDE.

ONCE THERE´S A LOCATION THAT´S OPEN, YOU GO IN THERE AND VOTE.

THIS IS -- YOU´RE ONLY NOW DOING IT BECAUSE WE HAVE THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY.

WE RECENTLY UPGRADED OUR BOOKS THAT ALLOW US TO CHECK IN.

THOSE BOOKS WILL COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER ACROSS THE TERRITORY TO LET US KNOW WHO WILL VOTE IN THE SPECIFIC VOTER CENTER.

SO, WE ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO TRY VOTING IN A DIFFERENT VOTING CENTER BECAUSE THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES IF YOU DO THAT.

>> OKAY.

SO, LET ME MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND YOU.

LET´S SAY I TYPICALLY WOULD GO TO THE EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX ON ST. CROIX.

BUT I´M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET BACK IN TIME BEFORE THE POLLS CLOSE.

I AM CLOSER TO THE PARK.

SO, I WOULD GO AND IT WOULD NOT BE DEEMED A -- VOTER, IT WOULD BE A PROVISIONAL VOTE.

SO, THAT´S NO LONGER THE CASE?

>> IT ALLOWS ANYONE FROM ANY POLLING PRECINCT TO GO -- SO, NO LONGER SPECIFIC POLLING PRECINCT.

YES, YOU ARE STILL GOING TO GET YOUR VOTE INCREASING.

BUT YOU CAN VOTE AT ANY VOTING CENTER.

>> THAT´S GREAT.

>> AGAIN TO MAKE VOTING EASY AND ACCESSIBLE FOR OUR RESIDENTS JUST TO ENCOURAGE TO BRING OUR NUMBERS UP, ENCOURAGE VOTER PARTICIPATION.

AND SIMPLIFYING THE PROCESS FOR VOTERS SO YOU CAN WAKE UP AND JUST SAY, I WANT TO GO TO -- YOU CAN GO THERE AND VOTE AND YOU WILL BE ISSUED A BALLOT AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE.

>> OKAY.

SO, WHEREVER YOUR VOTING CENTER, IS THAT IN EFFECT NOW?

>> IT´S IN EFFECT NOW.

WE WERE STILL FINALIZING LOCATIONS BECAUSE RECENTLY, I RECENTLY HAD A LOCATION AND I RECENTLY GOT NEWS WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT LOCATION.

WE WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

WE´RE TRYING TO FIND LOCATIONS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR THE DIFFERENT -- WE´RE TRYING TO FIND LOCATIONS THAT HAS AIR CONDITION.

WE WILL TRY TO MAKE THE PROCESS AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.

WHEN SOMEBODY WALKS IN, THEY WILL SAY, YES, I´M RELAXED.

I´M IN A COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT.

SO, WE´RE WORKING DILIGENTLY.

WE´RE WORKING TO HAVE THAT FINE LOSED SHORTLY.

AND WE DO HAVE AN IDEA WHO WE WANT FOR THE PRIME ELECTION.

WE´RE LOOKING AT THREE VOTING CENTERS ON ST. CROIX, THREE ON ST. THOMAS, AND I THINK TWO ON ST. JOHN.

>> OKAY.

>> AND THE GENERAL ELECTION WILL BE FIVE VOTING CENTERS.

AND ST. JOHN, IT´LL BE TWO.

FOR EARLY VOTING, YOU´RE LOOKING AT TWO LOCATIONS FOR THE PRIMARY LOCATION.

THE GENERALLY ELECTION WE HAVE THREE LOCATION.

AND IF THERE IS A RUNOFF, THERE WILL BE THREE.

AND WE JUST HAVEN´T FINALIZED THOSE EXACT LOCATIONS.

SO, IN THE COMING WEEKS WE´LL BE ABLE TO FINALIZE THAT LOCATION.

>> YOU MENTIONED IS ADA, WHICH STANDS FOR THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

WHAT ABOUT THE CONCERNS ABOUT ACCESS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY.

INDIVIDUALS WITH LOW VISION, DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING.

WHAT KINDS OF ACCOMMODATIONS HAS BEEN MADE BY THE ELECTION SYSTEM?

>> OUR MAJOR ONE IS THAT OUR EQUIPMENT.

WE ALLOW ANY VOTER TO VOTE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE.

ANY VOTER CAN USE THAT MACHINE, BUT IT WAS NOT DESIGNED BY INDIVIDUALS.

THIS MACHINE ALLOWS YOU TO PUT ON A HEADSET AND YOU CAN HEAR THE CANDIDATES THAT -- THE CANDIDATES WILL BE READ OUT TO YOU AND YOU CAN MAKE YOUR SELECTIONS.

IT´S A TOUCHSCREEN MACHINE.

EVEN IF YOU´RE BLIND, IT DOES HAVE A KEY PAD THAT HAS SOMETHING THE INDIVIDUAL CAN TOUCH AND FOLLOW THE SELECTIONS TO READ OUT TO THEM.

YOU CAN ALWAYS PLUG IN A HEADPHONE AND LISTEN TO WHAT THE MACHINES SAY.

THE MACHINES ARE EQUIPPED TO ASSIST ANY VOTER.

WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE AND ENSURE THEY´RE AT LEAST THREE FEET SO THAT WE CAN GO THROUGH ACCESSIBLE.

AND ALSO IF YOU DON´T WANT TO VOTE BY YOURSELF, YOU CAN ASK AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT THAT INDIVIDUAL HAS TO BE SWORN IN.

SO, THERE ARE PROCEDURES IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT EVERY VOTER ARE ABLE TO CAST A BALLOT.

>> VERY GOOD.

ALL RIGHT.

WHAT SUGGESTIONS WOULD YOU MAKE HOW RESIDENTS CAN BECOME MORE INFORMED ABOUT THE CANDIDATE?

WHAT SUGGESTIONS CAN YOU MAKE IN THAT REGARD?

>> OH, THAT IS A TRICKY QUESTION BECAUSE THE ELECTION SYSTEMS DON´T REALLY HAVE A STYLE IN THAT.

BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS GO TO THE WEBSITE.

WE DO HAVE THE SECTION THAT HAS A CANDIDATE LISTING AND IT PROVIDES YOU CONTACT NUMBER FOR EACH CANDIDATE.

SO, YOU CAN ALWAYS GET THAT KIND OF INFORMATION AND REACH OUT TO THE CANDIDATES.

USUALLY CANDIDATES ARE EASY TO REACH.

THEY´RE INDIVIDUALS IN THE PUBLIC, SO YOU CAN STOP AND GREET THEM.

AND THEY´LL HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.

BUT JUST CHECK THE WEBSITE AGAIN AND GO TO SPECIFIC ELECTIONS.

IT´S 2022.

YOU´RE GOING TO SEE SELECT 2022 ELECTION AND TWO DOWN AND GET THEIR CANDIDATE INFORMATION TO REACH OUT TO THEM.

>> MAKES SENSE.

YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO YOUR BALLOT OPTION.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE WE´RE KIND OF IN ONE ROLE WITH REGARD TO THAT.

WHAT´S THE STATUS PRESENTLY IF SOMEBODY HAS TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE?

WHAT´S THE PROCESS?

>> IF YOU HAVE TO MEET THE CRITERIA, ONE OF THEM WOULD HAVE TO BE SOMEBODY THAT A MEDICAL ROOM LIVING ASSISTED LIVING.

YOU´VE GOT TO BE IN THE DISTRICT 19 DAYS.

YOUR RELIGION DOESN´T ALLOW YOU TO SELECT FOR EXAMPLE.

IT DOESN´T ALLOW THERE CAN BE OCCASION TO GO THAT DAY SO THEY CAN GET AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

THERE ARE SPECIFIC REASONS THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO GET AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

BUT IF YOU DON´T MEET THAT CRITERIA, YOU CAN ALWAYS EARLY VOTE.

THE MINIMUM YOU HAVE FOR THIS ELECTION CYCLE IS TWO WEEKS.

IT´S GOING TO START ON MONDAY AND IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE STRAIGHT INTO -- AND THAT INCLUDES SATURDAY AND SUNDAYS -- TWO WEEKS.

THE PRIME ELECTION STARTS JULY 18th.

AND THAT IS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY INCLUDED.

AND TYPICAL HOURS ARE GOING TO BE 9:00 TO 6:00.

WE HAVE FINALIZED THE VIEWS.

SO, IF YOU CAN REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, YOU CAN REQUEST AN EARLY VOTE AND IF YOU DON´T WANT AN EARLY VOTE, YOU CAN ALWAYS GO TO THE POLLS AND VOTE ON ELECTION DAYS.

THERE ARE JUST CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO NO MATTER WHAT -- I KNOW I TURNED AWAY FROM THE ABSENTEE VOTE BUT I VENTURE BACK OUT TO THE ELECTION DAY VOTING.

ELECTION DAY VOTING IS STILL AN OPTION FOR AN INDIVIDUAL IF YOU SO DESIRE TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.

HOPEFULLY THE NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE IS BACK BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO TOOK THE -- THEY USED IT TWO YEARS AGO AND THEY ENJOYED IT.

DROP IT BACK IN THE MAIL AND COUNT YOUR BALLOT.

IT´S A SIMPLE PROCESS.

>> RIGHT.

SOMETHING ABOUT BEING OUT OF THE TERRITORY FOR MORE THAN 90 DAYS.

>> NO MORE THAN 90 DAYS.

SO, EXAMPLE -- AND THERE ARE ALWAYS EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE.

AS STUDENTS IN SCHOOL, WE CAN REQUEST BALLOTS.

YOU CAN´T JUST BE -- AND THIS WAS PUT IN PLACE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY BE -- IN VOTING.

LET´S SAY YOU LIVE IN THE STATES THE PAST SIX MONTHS.

I WANT TO GO TO ABSENTEE BUT I JUST SUPPORT THIS.

THAT´S THE KEY IN THE RUN-UP ELECTION.

BUT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN HERE IN THE PAST 90 DAYS BECAUSE YOU WERE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ABSENTEE BALLOT.

>> SO, WHAT WAS THE ELECTION SYSTEM TRYING TO CHANGE?

>> SO, ANYBODY CAN PICK UP AN ABSENTEE BALLOT NO MATTER -- THERE WILL BE NO REASON.

IT WAS PROHIBITIVE, ONLY SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS, SOMEBODY IN A HOSPITAL, SOMEBODY IN SCHOOL, A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL.

THERE ARE OPTIONS AFTERWARDS BASED ON YOUR RELIGION.

THERE´S ALSO AN OPTION AND I DID NOT MENTION THIS EARLIER.

IF YOU´RE NSH DID SO, FOR EXAMPLE, I LIVE ON ST. CROIX AND WORK ON ST. CROIX, BUT EVERY SO OFTEN MY JOB SENDS ME TO ST. THOMAS TO WORK OR VICE VERSA, YOU CAN RECEIVE ABSENTEE BALLOT FROM ST. THOMAS OFFICE AND YOU CAN VOTE THERE.

AND THAT GOES VICE FOR BETWEEN THE TWO OFFICES.

SO, YOU HAVE THAT OPTION IF YOU´RE WORKING AND CANNOT GET BACK TO ST. CROIX BY ELECTION DAY, YOU CAN GET ABSENTEE VOTES.

>> AND AGAIN, HOW ARE PEOPLE GOING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR OFFICE TO MAKE THESE KINDS OF REQUESTS?

>> ONE, YOU CAN ALWAYS GO TO OUR WEBSITE.

THE WEBSITE IS UPDATED EVERY SINGLE DAY.

ANYTHING THAT´S NEW INFORMATION, WE POST IT TO THE WEBSITE.

YOU CAN FIND ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION THERE.

THE FIRST RECEIVED THEM IN 2022.

THAT´S THE FIRST WE RECEIVED THEM IN THE SUPERVISORS OFFICE.

SO, FROM JUNE, YOU CAN REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

BUT AGAIN, DON´T WAIT LAST MINUTE.

AND YOU ALSO HAVE -- THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT AND CHANGE THEIR MIND.

>> ANYTHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE COVID RESTRICTIONS BEFORE WE SIGN OUT?

>> YES, WE´RE GOING TO FOLLOWING OUR PROTOCOLS, WHATEVER WE DID IN 2022.

YOU´RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAND SANITIZE.

YOU´RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET YOUR TEMPERATURE CHECKED.

WEAR A MASK.

IT´S HIGHLY INCLUDED YOU WEAR A MASK.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY.

YOU CAN ALWAYS REACH OUT TO US TO GET ANY OTHER INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU´VE BEEN A LOT OF INFORMATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "ABLE TO RAISE."

TAKE CARE AND BE SAFE.

♫♫ >>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.