Aug. 8, 2008 — Five polling places will open for St. Thomas-St. John District voters on primary election day Sept. 12, St. Thomas-St. John District Board of Elections members decided Thursday at a board meeting.
Sites for the Sept. 12 primary polling include: Charlotte Amalie High School, Ivanna Eudorra Kean High School, Joseph Gomez Elementary and Joseph Sibilly Elementary on St. Thomas and Julius E. Sprauve on St. John.
The board heard discussion about opening an additional site on the western end of St. Thomas, but decided against it. Board member Claudette Georges said that estimated costs for the additional site amounted to $1,532 to bring two voting machines to the site as well as provide staff, and associated costs.
The sites selected are large enough to accommodate the party-affiliated voters that are allowed to vote in the primary election. There are 26,603 registered voters in the district, 23,505 on St. Thomas and 1867 on St. John.
In order to have a primary election, at least seven candidates from a party have to file a form of intent to run for office with the board, between Aug. 5 and 12, according to Sharon Benjamin.
There are 12 filings by candidates so far.
In addition to naming the polling places, the board also was reminded that the budget for the Board of Elections will come before the Legislature Friday.
Board member Arturo Watlington expressed surprise that none of the board members were planning to represent the board at the hearing. Watlington told board members that he planned to attend and raise some concerns.
"Who is speaking on behalf of this district?" Watlington inquired of the rest of the board.
John Abramson Jr., supervisor of elections will present the board's budget to the Senate, slated to meet tomorrow on St. Croix, deputy supervisor Natalie Thomas told the board.
"Where is the presentation?" asked Watlington. "He is supposed to give us what he is presenting."
The expenses projected by the Post Audit Division for the board total $112,033, with the largest expense $39,703 for staff salaries.
The seven board members are not paid, but receive a stipend of $75 for attending each board meeting, and travel expenses are provided by the board. Meetings are monthly within the district and joint meetings are held quarterly for the territory.
Board members are elected for four year terms.
The full complement of board members was in attendance: Chairman Lawrence Boschulte, Georges, Leona Smith, Lorna A. C. Thomas, Alecia Wells, Watlington and Colette White Amaro.
For more information on the upcoming elections, go to vivote.gov/ or call the board at 774-3107.
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