♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >>> GOOD DAY.

AND WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM, A PROGRAM PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH WTJX TV FOR WELL OVER 35 YEARS.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT, THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, YOU, THE VOTING PUBLIC, WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2024 ELECTION YEAR RIGHT HERE ON WTJX TV.

WITH CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE OR AS DELEGATES FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

FOR THE FIRST TIME ALSO, WE ARE INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION AND ELECTION.

ALTHOUGH ALL THE CANDIDATES FOR THESE POSITIONS WERE INVITED, NOT ALL RESPONDED OR ACCEPTED THE INVITATION.

WE´RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TODAY THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR POSITION ON THE BOARD OF ELECTION.

TWO IN THE ST. CROIX DISTRICT AND ONE IN THE ST. THOMAS/ST.

JOHN DISTRICT.

THIS SHOW WILL BE 30 MINUTES LONG.

I AM FRANCINE LANG, A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND I WILL SERVE AS MODERATOR FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN INFORMED IN ADVANCE OF THE GUIDELINES FOR THE PROGRAM.

NO CANDIDATE HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

THE FIRST RESPONDER TO EACH QUESTION WILL BE ROTATED AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS.

TIMING OF A QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.

ANY COMMENT DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY AT A PARTICIPANT BY ANOTHER PARTICIPANT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A REBUTTAL OF 50 SECONDS.

ALL ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE ELSE.

SO, LET´S BEGIN.

I WILL ASK EACH CANDIDATE TO IDENTIFY WHO THEY ARE AND TO STATE THEIR NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH AS OUR DISCUSSION ENSUES.

LET´S START WITH CANDIDATE NUMBER ONE.

PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

>> GREETINGS.

MY NAME IS DR. COLLIE PAT TRA PETER.

MY BALLOT NUMBER IS NUMBER 5.

AND MY PARTY AFFILIATION IS REPUBLICAN.

>> MY NAME IS E.B.

ST. JOSEPH, JOE JOSEPH.

I AM A TWO-TERM PRESENTLY SERVING ON THE BOARD OF ELECTION.

I AM SEEKING FOR RE-ELECTION.

MY BALLOT NUMBER IS NUMBER FOUR.

>> AND CANDIDATE NUMBER THREE.

>> GREETINGS.

MY NAME IS BARBARA -- I AM FROM THE ST. THOMAS DISTRICT.

MY BALLOT NUMBER IS TWO, AND I AM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> THANK YOU.

WE´LL START WITH THE FIRST QUESTION TO DR. PETER.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO WANT TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD?

>> WHAT MOTIVATED ME TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD WAS -- >> YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I HAVE 60 -- OKAY.

WHAT MOTIVATED ME TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD WAS WITNESSING WHAT I THINK OCCURRED IN LAST ELECTION.

I SAW SOME DISCREPANCIES.

I SAW SOMEONE PUT IN THEIR HAND THE JUMP DRIVE.

AND HOW THAT VOTING OCCURRED, I DID NOT APPRECIATE IT.

AND FOR SOME REASON, I THINK IT WASN´T THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WASN´T GETTING THE RESPONSE THAT WE WANTED.

WE WANTED MORE TRANSPARENCY, MORE ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THE ELECTION SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY ON CAMERA, TELL THE PEOPLE WHAT HAPPENED.

TELL THE PEOPLE TRUTHFULLY WHAT HAPPENED.

AND AS A RESULT I STARTED ASKING QUESTIONS, WRITING LETTERS, AND THEY´RE IGNORING THE QUESTIONS.

SO, WE THOUGHT THERE´S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS ELECTION, SO I THINK I NEED TO BE ON THE BOARD TO BE ABLE TO ASK FOR FAIR ELECTIONS HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. JOSEPH, WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO CONTINUE TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD?

>> WELL, I -- BEFORE I ACTUALLY RUN FOR THE BOARD, I WAS AN ACTIVIST.

I WENT TO ALL THE MEETINGS.

FOR ABOUT 11 YEARS I HAD A BETTER ATTENDANCE RECORD THAN ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS.

I SAW FIRSTHAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

AND ONE INCIDENT THAT TRIGGERED ME WAS WHEN SOMEONE WAS CONVICTED OF -- PUT ON THE BALLOT.

THEN I -- THAT TRIGGERED ME TO RUN FOR THE VOTE.

I RUN THREE TIMES AND THE FOURTH TIME I WAS ELECTED.

AND I´VE BEEN SERVING FOR TWO TERMS, AND I´VE ENJOYED.

THE PRESENCE ON THE BOARD HAS CHANGED, AND I WANT TO CONTINUE FOR MY LAST TERM.

>> THANK YOU.

AND MR. LORRAND, WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO WANT TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD?

>> I´VE BEEN AN ACTIVIST WITHIN THE ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN DISTRICT AND IN FACT THE ENTIRE TERRITORY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

I´VE BECOME VERY PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS DURING THE 2012 ELECTION.

AND AS I´VE CONTINUED TO LOOK ON, I SAW WHERE A FAIR REPRESENTATION AT WHAT IS AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS THE GATEWAY TO OUR ELECTIONS REQUIRED A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A AGGRESSIVE AND CAPABLE MEMBER OF THE ELECTION BOARD TEAM.

AND I´VE CHOSEN TO BE A PART OF THAT.

>> MR. JOSEPH, WHAT TALENTS OR SKILLED ARE NEEDED BY MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD?

HOW DID YOU DEMONSTRATE ANY OF THESE OVER YOUR TENURE ON THE BOARD?

AND YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT ELECTION IS SACRED THING AND THAT A FAIR ELECTION IS IMPORTANT.

AND ONE HAS TO BE HONEST.

AND I THINK I BRING THAT ON THE BOARD.

I ADVOCATE FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

AND THAT´S WHAT I HAVE BEEN PUSHING EVER SINCE I CAME ON THE BOARD.

AND I THINK WE HAVE COME FROM A LONG LONG WAY TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

I WOULD SAY -- I SAID IT ON THE RADIO.

I´LL SAY IT IN PERSON.

THE FORMER SENATE CHANGED THE ELECTION SYSTEM FROM WHAT IT WAS TO WHAT IT IS TODAY.

AND I´M GLAD THAT I HAVE BEEN ALONG TO SEE THOSE CHANGES.

AND I WANT TO CONTINUE TO SEE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WHAT TALENTS OR SKILLS DO YOU THINK ARE NEEDED BY MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD?

AND HOW DID YOU DEMONSTRATE ANY OF THOSE IN YOUR CAREER TO DATE?

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING.

I THINK FIRST AND FOREMOST THE -- SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THEM.

AND I HAVE BECOME VERY FAMILIAR WITH THOSE.

I ALSO THINK THAT WHAT I OFFER TO THIS COMMUNITY IS A FAIR POSITION, ENSURING THAT EACH VOTER WOULD HAVE THEIR VOTES COUNTED.

ONE MAN, ONE VOTE.

THAT IS MY ROLE ON THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, OR WOULD BE MY ROLE FOR THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

AND DR. PETER, HOW DID YOU DEMONSTRATE ANY OF THESE QUALITIES IN YOUR CAREER TO DATE?

>> HOW I DEMONSTRATE THESE QUALITIES IS BEING AN ADVOCATE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WITNESSING THAT THERE IS SOME -- IN THIS ELECTION.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS I´M ADVOCATING FOR IS VOTES TO BE COUNTED WHERE THEY´RE CAST.

I THINK THAT WHEN SOMEONE VOTES IN ONE ROOM, THAT ROOM SHOULD BE WHERE THE VOTES SHOULD BE COUNTED.

THE VOTES SHOULD NOT LEAVE THIS ROOM TO GO IN ANOTHER ROOM OR BE TRANSPORTED TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO BE COUNTED.

IT CANNOT BE TRUSTED.

AS A RESULT, OUR VOTES ARE VERY IMPORTANT, AND IT NEEDS TO BE COUNTED WHERE IT´S CAST.

AND THAT IS WHAT I´M ADVOCATING FOR.

>> THANK YOU.

AND I WILL START WITH MS. -- FOR THIS NEXT QUESTION.

WHAT CHANGES DO YOU SEE ARE NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM´S PROCESSES OR TO ENHANCE VOTE SECURITY?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> VOTES BEING COUNTED WHERE THEY´RE CAST IS I THINK NUMBER ONE.

FIRST ENSURING THAT WE HAVE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION FROM OUR COMMUNITY, A GREATER NUMBER OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTION SYSTEM AND THROUGH THE ELECTION PROCESS AND CASTING BEING -- VOTES BEING COUNTED WHERE THEY´RE CAST.

PAPER BALLOTS ARE ALSO A VERY VITAL PART OF THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VALIDATE WHAT IS BEING PRODUCED BY THESE MACHINES WITH PAPER BALLOTS.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WITH THOSE TWO THINGS PUT IN PLACE, WE WILL HAVE A GREATER IMPACT ON THE TRUST AND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION SYSTEM.

>> THANK YOU.

DR. PETER.

AGAIN, WHAT CHANGES DO YOU SEE ARE NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM´S PROCESSES OR TO ENHANCE VOTE SECURITY?

>> WHAT´S CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT IS RESTORING TRUST IN THE ELECTION SYSTEM.

WE HAVE ALL WITNESSED CHANGE THINGS HAPPENING IN THE ELECTION CYCLE.

IT´S IMPORTANT FOR VOTES TO BE COUNTED WHERE THEY´RE CAST.

THAT IS THE ROOT OF A LOT OF CORRUPTION HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

BEING ABLE TO NOT HAVE PEOPLE COUNT THE VOTES AND VOTES ARE BEING MOVED AROUND IS SUSPICIOUS.

AND AS A RESULT, I THINK THAT IS THE ROOT OF ALL THE CORRUPTION HERE.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE HAVE A BOARD THAT WILL COUNT VOTES WHEN CAST AND GIVE VOTES TO WHOEVER WINS.

DOESN´T MATTER WHO WINS.

WHOEVER WINS, GIVE THE ELECTION TO THEM.

NOT PUT YOUR HAND ON THE SCALE AND VOTES ARE DISAPPEARING.

COUNT THE VOTES WHERE THEY´RE CAST, PAPER BALLOTS, IN A REGULAR BOX, COUNT THE VOTES.

>> MR. JOSEPH, WHAT RECENT CHANGES HAVE BEEN IN THE SYSTEM TO IMPROVE ELECTION PROCESSES OR ENHANCE VOTE SECURITY IN THE V.I.

IS THERE ANY MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

PLEASE EXPLAIN.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> FOR MANY YEARS, WE VOTED USING THE ELECTRONIC MACHINE.

WE WENT IN THE MACHINE, WE PRESS A CANDIDATE.

WE DIDN´T KNOW -- THERE WAS NO WAY TO AUDIT OUR VOTE.

UNTIL IT WAS IN 2010, WE HAVE THE -- MACHINES AND WE HAVE THE DS-200.

THOSE MACHINES, I BELIEVE IN THEM.

I THINK THEY ARE TRUSTWORTHY.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO -- WE DON´T REALLY WORK BY MACHINE.

WE WORK BY PAPER.

AND THE MACHINE -- WE CAST IT ON THE MACHINE.

SO, THE SYSTEM CAN BE AUDITED.

YOU HAVE THE BALLOT AS WELL AS THE MACHINE COUNT.

I THINK WE CAN ENHANCE THE MACHINES GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD TO OR TO OPPOSE THIS ANSWER?

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS, 5-0.

>> I DO.

I THINK THAT PAPER BALLOTS WITHOUT BEING CASTED INTO THE MACHINE SHOULD BE ALSO AN OPTION FOR VALIDATION.

I DO SUPPORT THE USE OF THE MACHINES TO COUNT VOTES CASTED.

BUT HOW DOES THAT IMPACT WRITE-INS?

WHERE IN THE SYSTEM, THE MACHINES, ARE THERE RECORDS FOR WRITE-IN CANDIDATES?

THAT WOULD BE MY QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU.

AND DR. PETER, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR TO OPPOSE TO THIS ANSWER?

>> YES.

>> 50 SECONDS, 5-0.

>> AT THE AGE OF 22, I GRADUATED AS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER.

AS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER, I COULD BASICALLY DO ANYTHING ON A COMPUTER.

AND AS A RESULT, I WOULD NOT TRUST ANYONE BEHIND A COMPUTER COUNTING MY VOTES.

OUR VOTE IS TOO IMPORTANT.

AND A CALCULATION FROM THE E -- I THINK IT´S THE EAC.GOV WEBSITE.

AND ALSO I DID SOME TABULATION WITH THE VIVOTE.GOV WEBSITE.

AND THE NUMBERS ARE DIFFERENT.

THEY DO NOT ADD UP.

THEY´RE NOT MATCHING.

SO, YOU CAN EASILY SEE THE DISCREPANCIES IN THE NUMBERS OF WHAT THEY PUT IN THE ELECTION SYSTEM AND -- >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

AGAIN, WE´RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH MR. JOSEPH.

THE INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNGER VOTERS, AS VOTER TURNOUT IS MOSTLY BY THOSE OLDER?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I THINK WE NEED A BETTER -- THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VOTE.

WE NEED TO GO TO THE SCHOOLS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE.

I THINK THERE MUST BE A GREATER -- ARE FILLED IN THAT ASPECT.

I PROPOSE THAT WE GO DIRECTLY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND REGISTER PEOPLE TO VOTE.

GOING BACK TO THE MACHINE, THE THING THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE WE CAN AUDIT -- >> CAN YOU PLEASE STAY ON THE QUESTION ABOUT YOUNGER VOTERS?

>> WELL, THE THING THAT I -- WE ARE GOING TO THE SCHOOLS.

I THINK THAT´S WHERE IT STARTS IN ANYTHING, TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO VOTE.

>> THANK YOU.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD TO OR OPPOSE THIS ANSWER?

>> NO.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD -- I DON´T OPPOSE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT I THINK IF WE WERE TO IMPROVE ON THE CIVIC LAWS TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, WE WOULD HAVE MORE PARTICIPATION.

NOT JUST CIVIC LAWS IN GENERAL, BUT REFERRING TO MANY OF THE LESSONS LEARNED HERE IN OUR TERRITORY OVER THE YEARS.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, I THINK THAT WE, AS A TERRITORY, CAN CREATE LOCAL LAWS THAT WOULD ENSURE AT THE AGE OF 18 EACH NOW ADULT WOULD BE EMPOWERED BY REGISTERING FOR THE BOARD OF ELECTION -- OR AS A REGISTERED VOTER.

IT DOESN´T ENSURE THAT THEY WILL EXERCISE THAT POWER, BUT BY GIVING THEM THAT POWER AT THE AGE OF 18, I DO BELIEVE WE´LL HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF INVOLVEMENT OR PARTICIPATION.

>> THANK YOU.

DR. PETER, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD OR OPPOSE TO THIS RESPONSE?

AND YOU ALSO HAVE 50 SECONDS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A GROUP OF -- DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING.

THAT´S YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE GO TO THEM AND WE SPEAK TO THEM.

IT´S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO GET INVOLVED AND BE PART OF THE PROCESS.

BUT, AGAIN, IF VOTES ARE NOT COUNTED WHERE THEY´RE CAST, THEY DON´T TRUST THE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE PARENTS THAT DON´T TRUST THE SYSTEM THAT SAY THAT IN CHILDREN´S EARS.

SO, WHEN THE PARENTS ARE ECHOING, THE CHILDREN ARE ECHOING THE SAME THING.

THAT´S WHY IT´S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE VOTES ARE COUNTED WHERE THEY´RE CAST AND WE GO OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT´S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO GET INVOLVED.

WHATEVER DECISION WE MAKE WILL AFFECT THEM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO, WE´LL START WITH DR. PETER FOR THIS QUESTION.

COULD YOU SUPPORT A BOARD DECISION THAT YOU DID NOT AGREE WITH?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> IF I WOULD SUPPORT A DECISION -- REPEAT THE QUESTION AGAIN.

>> YES.

COULD YOU SUPPORT A BOARD DECISION THAT YOU DID NOT AGREE WITH?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> THAT QUESTION IS FUNNY, BUT ANYWAY, CAN I SUPPORT SOMETHING I DON´T AGREE.

I CAN´T SUPPORT SOMETHING I DON´T AGREE WITH.

IF I DON´T AGREE WITH IT, I DON´T AGREE WITH IT.

AND I STAND BEHIND -- EVEN WHAT I SAID BEFORE.

I´VE SAID THIS IN THE PAST.

EVEN IF I´M THE ONLY ONE STANDING, IF I BELIEVE IN SOMETHING, I´M GOING TO STAND FOR IT EVEN IF I´M THE ONLY ONE STANDING.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. JOSEPH, YOU HAVE THE SAME QUESTION.

COULD YOU SUPPORT A BOARD DECISION THAT YOU DID NOT AGREE WITH?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> IN DEMOCRACY, I WOULD LIKE TO -- MY OPPOSITION.

THE VOTE IS CAST, I WOULD GO ALONG WITH THE MAJORITY DECISION.

BUT I WOULD CAST MY OPPOSITION WHY I DISAGREE WITH THE POLICY.

>> THANK YOU.

AND MS. -- AGAIN, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO SUPPORT A BOARD DECISION YOU DID NOT AGREE WITH?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I DO BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY.

I THINK THE MAJORITY RULES.

WHEN WE ARE POSITIONED IN THIS ELECTED SEAT.

I WAS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

THERE ARE DECISIONS THAT MAY NOT LINE IN FAVOR WITH MY OWN CHOICE.

AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE AND WOULD ENSURE THAT I VOICE MY POSITION AND WOULD GO ALONG WITH THE BOARD DECISION AS LONG AS IT IS NOT BREAKING THE LAW.

THAT IS WHAT I WILL BE FOLLOWING, WHAT OUR LOCAL LAWS DEFINE FOR US TO FOLLOW.

>> THANK YOU.

AND WE´LL START, AGAIN, WITH MR. JOSEPH.

THERE IS A PUSH FOR ELECTION REFORM.

WHAT ISSUES ARE OF IMPORTANCE TO YOU?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I THINK THERE IS A MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE ELECTION SYSTEM.

THE ELECTION SYSTEM IS ON THE LEGISLATURE.

AND ANY CHANGE THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED HAS TO BE DONE THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK THAT WE NEED ELECTION REFORM.

WE NEED A TOTAL REFORM OF HOW OUR SYSTEM IS APPORTIONED.

I THINK WE NEED ELECTION REFORM IN THE SENSE OF -- THE SYSTEM OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE OUR SYSTEM BETTER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WOULD YOU ASK THE QUESTION AGAIN FOR ME AGAIN?

>> YES.

AND YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS.

THERE IS A PUSH FOR ELECTION REFORM.

WHAT REFORM ISSUES ARE OF IMPORTANCE TO YOU?

>> I THINK THE AMOUNT OF BOARD MEMBERS.

I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE REPRESENTATIONS FROM EACH PARTY AND NON-PARTY MEMBERS ON THE BOARD.

I UNDERSTAND THE BALANCE THAT MUST BE MAINTAINED IN ORDER FOR A FAIR AND EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF OUR TERRITORY.

BUT I QUESTION OFTEN, IS THERE REALLY A NEED FOR 15 MEMBERS?

>> THANK YOU.

AND DR. PETER, AGAIN, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU´D LIKE TO ADD OR OPPOSE TO THAT RESPONSE?

DO YOU NEED ME TO READ THE QUESTION AGAIN?

>> NO.

>> OKAY.

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS, PLEASE.

>> WE DEFINITELY NEED ELECTION REFORM.

WHAT THE ELECTION REFORM WE NEED, WE DON´T NEED THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTION GOING TO THE SENATE AND CHANGING THE LAWS THAT AFFECT THE BOARD.

WE NEED THE BOARD TO VOTE ON IT AND THEN COME TO THE SENATE AND PRESENT IT TO THE SENATE WHERE ALL THE BOARD VOTED ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE V.I.

CODE.

INSTEAD, WE HAVE THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTION, ESPECIALLY ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2022, GOING TO THE SENATE AND CHANGING LAWS THAT APPLIES TO THE BOARD, WHERE THE SUPERVISOR NOW IS CHANGING THE LAWS TO THE SENATE, TO THE BOARD.

I DON´T THINK THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING.

THE SUPERVISOR IS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE BOARD.

>> THANK YOU.

THIS LAST QUESTION, AGAIN, WE´LL START WITH MR. JOSEPH.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS THE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE SYSTEM?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> WHEN YOU SAY THE SYSTEM, WHAT DO YOU -- >> THE ELECTION SYSTEM.

THE BOARD.

>> THE ELECTION SYSTEM IS THE SUPERVISOR ON THE BOARD.

AND AGAIN, THE LEGISLATURE IS THE CODE.

THE LEGISLATURE IS THE ONE WHO CHANGE THE LAW.

AND SO FAR EVEN THOUGH THE SUPERVISOR IS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE BOARD, THE SUPERVISOR IS THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE TO CONDUCT ELECTION.

AND THEN STILL THE BOARD HAS TO CERTIFY.

I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND REFORMED AND CHANGED.

>> THANK YOU.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING NEW TO ADD TO OR TO OPPOSE THIS ANSWER?

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS.

>> CAN YOU ASK THE QUESTION?

>> SURE.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS DIFFERENCES OF OPINION BETWEEN THE BOARD OF ELECTION AND THE ELECTION SYSTEM?

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS.

>> OPPOSE.

AGAIN, I THINK IN PROPER PROCESSES, WRITING, ADDRESSING IT WITH THE BOARD AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

AS MR. JOSEPH MENTIONED BEFORE, THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTION IS A PART OF THE SYSTEM.

AND I THINK FOR US TO HAVE ANY CORRECT APPROACH TO APPROVALS OR CONCURRING OR NON-CONCURRING MATTERS, WE SHOULD HAVE A CORE POSITION ON WHO HAS WHICH ROLE.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A VITAL PART OF UNDERSTANDING HOW THIS SYSTEM WORKS AND WHERE THE BOARD COMES TO PLAY AND HOW WE CAN CORRECT THINGS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY WE´RE OUT OF TIME.

SO, I WOULD LIKE EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR CLOSING STATEMENT TO TELL VOTERS WHY THEY ARE A CHOICE CANDIDATE FOR THE BOARD OF ELECTION, STARTING WITH DR. PETER.

>> GREETINGS AGAIN.

I´M DR. CLEOPATRA PETER, AND I´M RUNNING FOR THE BOARD OF ELECTION, NUMBER FIVE ON YOUR BALLOT.

ELECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THAT EVERYONE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHO IS OF AGE SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN OUR ELECTION.

AND I THINK IT´S VERY IMPORTANT THAT OUR ELECTION SYSTEM AND THE BOARD OF ELECTION NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT EVERYONE´S VOTE.

ONE VOTE, ONE VOICE.

FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS FOR ALL.

VOTES NEED TO BE COUNTED WHERE THEY´RE CAST.

WITH THAT IN PLACE, IT WILL ENSURE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, AND WE´LL PROBABLY HAVE A BETTER VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. JOSEPH, YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT, PLEASE.

60 SECONDS.

>> I WANT TO THANK THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FOR INVITING ME TO THIS FORUM.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

I AM JOE JOSEPH.

MY NUMBER IS NUMBER FOUR ON THE BALLOT.

I AM SEEKING FOR RE-ELECTION.

I HAVE ENJOYED MY EXPERIENCE ON THE BOARD OF ELECTION.

THE BOARD OF ELECTION IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF REFORM.

IT´S TRANSPARENT.

I JUST WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE MORE VIGILANT.

COME OUT TO THE MEETING.

THE MEETINGS ARE OPEN FOR YOU TO COME AND INSPECT AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON INSTEAD OF JUST STAYING OUTSIDE AND ASSUME THINGS AND GO BY EVERYTHING YOU HEAR.

BUT COME SEE.

THAT´S WHAT I DID FOR 11 YEARS BEFORE I GOT ON THE BOARD.

I WOULD LIKE TO SERVE FOR ONE MORE TERM AND I´M OUT OF THERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> THANK YOU.

60 SECONDS.

>> GREETINGS.

MY NAME IS BARBARA -- CANDIDATE FROM THE ST. THOMAS/ST.

JOHN DISTRICT, NUMBER TWO ON YOUR BALLOT.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR VOTE AS WE WORK TOWARDS A SECURE OF ONE MAN, ONE VOTE.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE CAN TRUST THE BOARD OF ELECTION AND THE ENTIRE ELECTION SYSTEM THAT OUR VOICES WILL BE HEARD.

I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AS I ENSURE A FAIR AND COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT HAPPENS WITHIN THE BOARD.

I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR -- FOR THE PARTICIPATION HERE WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL AT THE POLLS.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES.

AND VIEWERS.

AND THANK YOU WTJX TV AND STAFF FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOPES THIS PROGRAM HAS HELPED WITH YOU, THE VOTER, IN KNOWING THE CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

AND IN SO DOING INFORMED YOUR VOTE FOR NOVEMBER.

THE LEAGUE REMINDS YOU THAT YOUR VOTE DETERMINES THE FUTURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT.

DURING ELECTIONS WE OFTEN SEE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO BARELY MAKES THE CUT BECAUSE A FEW MORE PEOPLE DID VOTE OR ONE WHO BARELY LOSES AND WISHES, IF ONLY A FEW MORE PERSONS HAD VOTED.

SO, LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BY YOUR VOTE.

IT´S YOUR RIGHT.

TAKE IT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I AM FRANCINE LANG FOR THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SAYING, VOTE EARLY OR VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.

JUST VOTE.

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

>>> CLOSED CAPTIONING OF THIS PROGRAM WAS UNDERWRITTEN BY THE OFFICE OF SELF-DETERMINATION AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF UVI.

>>> YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE REGISTERING, MOBILIZING, AND TURNING OUT LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

>> THIS PAST YEAR, WE SAW TEXAS BREAK ALL VOTER TURNOUT RECORDS.

>> WE HAVE TO GO OUT THERE AND WIN VOTES BY TALKING, LISTENING, AND SHOWING THEM THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE AS OUR FELLOW TEXANS.

>> YOU CAN´T ASSUME THAT BECAUSE OF MY SKIN COLOR I´M GOING TO VOTE A CERTAIN WAY.

>> THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE.

>>> GET READY FOR THE CULINARY EVENT OF THE YEAR.

WTJX´S 17th ANNUAL TASTE OF TWO ISLANDS.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NOVEMBER 14th.

IT´S A TASTING TOUR LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT WTJX.ORG/TASTE OR CALL 340-774-6255.

THIS IS A BIG PEOPLE PARTY WITH TOP NOTCH BANDS, SPONSORED BY VI LOTTERY, VI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, VI CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION, FIRST BANK, THE VI BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND EDA.

JOIN US AT HARBOR 360 ON NOVEMBER 14th FOR A NIGHT OF CULINARY EXCELLENCE AND A RED CARPET EXPERIENCE YOU´RE SURE TO REMEMBER.

>>> ONE OUT OF EVERY FIVE LATINA VOTERS WHO ARE GOING TO CAST A BALLOT ARE GOING TO BE DOING SO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

>> LATINOS WILL BE THE DECISION MAKERS OF WHO BECOMES THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> WE ARE CUBANS AND DOMINICANS AND PUERTO RICANS AND MEXICAN AND U.S. BORN LATINOS.

>> SO POLITICIANS IN AMERICA, WHEN THEY ATTEMPT TO PUT LATINOS IN ONE BLOCK, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

>> TUNE IN OCTOBER 22nd AT 10:00 P.M. ON WTJX TV CHANNEL 12.

♫♫