General Election Day arrived with an air of excitement and civic pride as voters headed to the polls across St. Thomas and St. John.
The energy started early, with supporters for Senate candidate Avery Lewis lining Veterans Drive on Monday night. By Tuesday morning, tents and sign-waving campaigners filled the entrances to Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Charlotte Amalie High School, and the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center, while on St. John, campaigners held signs by the Cruz Bay traffic circle, greeting passing motorists.
From young first-time electioneers to seasoned candidates, supporters and residents came together, sharing in the hope for meaningful change in their communities.
For 12-year-old Jordan Vanterpool and his 10-year-old brother, Jayden, Election Day was a new experience. Camped out at Tutu Park Mall, they were eagerly handing out cards for their cousin, Senate candidate Shenelle Fina Francis. Jordan’s eyes lit up as he talked about the response from voters. “I like when I give someone one of her cards, and they look excited,” he said. “Today, everyone looks excited to go vote, so it’s been fun seeing that.” Their excitement reflected a shared joy in being part of something bigger, as they saw firsthand the enthusiasm and hope people brought to the polls.
Nearby, longtime supporter Vinette Garfield-Willock was campaigning for incumbent Sen. Marvin Blyden, a candidate she said she’s stood by since his first run. Her loyalty isn’t just political, it’s personal, she added.
“We are a small community, and because of that, our senators are approachable,” Garfield-Willock said. Recalling Blyden’s first steps into politics, she shared, “I remember him attending a women’s committee meeting as the only man in the room. From that moment, I knew he cared about making a difference.” For Garfield-Willock, Election Day was another chance to strengthen her connection to a candidate who, she believes, understands the needs of the community.
A few yards up, Adrienne King reflected on the work of Sen. Ray Fonseca, for whom she serves as a legislative researcher. “He’s done so much for the community,” she said, speaking about his dedication to health care. King said she values the impact Fonseca has had — from securing dialysis and diabetes support to providing backup power for the hospital. She and other supporters believe this is just the beginning of his outreach efforts. “We look forward to continuing that service to our community,” she added, hopeful for more progress.
June Daniel Thomas brought her own story to the election, having met Board of Education candidate Nandi Sekou by chance at a jewelry store. “I have a passion for education,” Thomas said. A former chef who reinvented her career after Caneel Bay Resort closed, Thomas graduated as the 2024 valedictorian of the Adult and Continuing Education program and plans to pursue a degree in early childhood education. She connected with Sekou’s commitment to education on a personal level. “She took the time to explain her platform, and her personality was one of the things that caught my attention,” Thomas shared, saying she was eager to support a candidate who reflects her values.
In front of Charlotte Amalie High School, Rudel Hodge Jr. — the youngest delegate candidate for the Sixth Constitutional Convention — greeted voters with a smile and a tech-savvy approach: a QR code on his campaign poster leading to his bio. For many older voters, Hodge’s enthusiasm was contagious, bringing laughter and a bit of wonder. “I’m running to help us draft a strong, forward-thinking document that ties in both the old and the new,” Hodge shared with them.
Hodge’s passion for his Virgin Islands heritage and his belief in a brighter future were evident as he spoke to the Source, and he said he hoped his fresh perspective would resonate with voters. “I want us to have the best, most forward-thinking document in the world,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Dwayne DeGraff’s daughter, Brittany, stood alongside her father outside CAHS, beaming with pride. Recently returned from Georgia after 12 years off-island, Brittany had been following her father’s work from afar but felt compelled to come back to witness the changes she hoped would take root.
“I hope his presence has been enough to get him back in again,” she said. “I am very proud of him and want to see our island change. I don’t want to miss it.”
At polling places across the territory, tents were filled with campaigners sharing meals, stories, and encouragement. Candidates moved among the supporters, delivering boxed lunches and encouraging the steady flow of voters. Incumbent Sen. Carla Joseph, campaigning at Tutu Park Mall, expressed her gratitude for the turnout, which Elections officials said was higher than those recorded in 2020, with 5,284 votes cast territory-wide by noon.
“The weather has held up, and there are a lot of energized people at the polls,” Joseph said. “We need to encourage everyone to come out to vote.”
A self-proclaimed grassroots activist, Joseph said she has always connected deeply with her community. “I grew up in public housing, and I love seeing our people empowered and uplifted,” she shared. “I keep doing this because I have the energy, the knowledge, and the understanding of what’s needed to work efficiently for everyone.”
Meanwhile, by midday, as clouds parted to make way for a hint of sun at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas, retired UVI Physics Professor Roy Watlington cast his ballot at a tent set up by the V.I. Democratic Party. For Watlington and many others, Election Day is a cherished ritual, a moment to have their voices heard. “These are hard times — we need good leaders,” he reflected after voting.
