2014 United States Virgin Islands referendum explained

Country:US Virgin Islands
Date:7 November 2000
Barwidth:180px
Part1 Subject:Are you in favor of the United States Congress amending Section 6(1) of the revised Organic Act of 1954 to increase the term of office of local Senators from two years to four years?
Part1 Choice1:For
Part1 Percentage1:17.60
Part1 Choice2:Against
Part1 Percentage2:82.40
Part2 Subject:Should the Legislature of the Virgin Islands consider legislation to allow for the cultivation and use of cannabis (commonly known as marijuana) for medical and research purposes?
Part2 Choice1:For
Part2 Percentage1:56.54
Part2 Choice2:Against
Part2 Percentage2:43.46

A two-part referendum was held in the United States Virgin Islands on 4 November 2014. Voters were asked whether they approve of extending the term of office of Senators from two to four years,[1] and whether the cultivation and use of cannabis for medical and research purposes should be allowed.[2]

The proposal to increase senatorial terms was rejected by 82% of voters, while the medical cannabis proposal was approved by 57% of voters.[3]

Background

The proposal to hold a referendum on increasing the term length of Senators was approved by the Legislature on 27 September 2014 by a vote of 7–6 with one abstention.[1] The proposal would only be implemented if a majority of those voting in the simultaneous general elections.[1]

In 2012 Senator Terrance Nelson proposed holding referendums on the use of medical cannabis and allowing the production, processing, manufacturing and distributing of industrial hemp. Although the holding of a referendum on medical cannabis referendum was blocked by the Legislature, it did allow a referendum on industrial hemp, which was approved by 57% of voters. Nelson again proposed holding a referendum on medical cannabis in 2014, and this time it was approved by a vote of 12–2. Unlike the term length question, the cannabis one was non-binding.[4]

Results

Increasing Senators' term length

ChoiceVotes%
For3,19217.60
Against14,94682.40
Invalid/blank votes9,741
Total27,879100
Registered voters/turnout51,32654.32
align=left colspan=3Source: VI Vote

Medical cannabis

See main article: Cannabis in United States Virgin Islands.

ChoiceVotes%
For10,50356.54
Against8,07443.46
Invalid/blank votes9,302
Total27,879100
Registered voters/turnout51,32654.32
align=left colspan=3Source: VI Vote

Notes and References

  1. http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/legislature-puts-issue-of-doubling-length-of-senators-terms-to-voters-1.1559537 Legislature puts issue of doubling length of senators' terms to voters
  2. http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/dejongh-vetoes-bill-ending-pension-payments-to-spouses-of-deceased-governors-calling-it-an-attack-on-him-his-wife-1.1736370 DeJongh vetoes bill ending pension payments to spouses of deceased governors, calling it an attack on him, his wife
  3. http://www.vivote.gov/Election%202014/GEreports/Territory%20wide.HTM Official results
  4. http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/medical-marijuana-referendum-clears-senate-1.1726747 Medical marijuana referendum clears Senate