Gittens Measures on Convicted Felons, Campaign Donations, and Electronic Filing All Fail After Reconsideration

Gittens's proposal to bar convicted felons from seeking higher office, along with efforts to increase campaign donation limits and allow electronic filing of nomination petitions, all failed

Towards the end of Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting in the 35th Legislature, Senator Kenneth Gittens rose to offer three measures amending Title 18, the portion of the Virgin Islands Code that covers elections in the territory. However, after a warning from legal counsel that these actions were unlawful, Senator Gittens’ efforts were defeated by his Senate colleagues.

With all amendments attached to Bill 35-0262, the first sought to bar convicted felons who have not received pardons from seeking public office. The amendment would also ban those convicted of crimes of moral turpitude, whether at the felony level or not.

‌Upon being introduced by Senator Gittens, the measure was immediately objected to by Senators Donna Frett-Greogry and Angel Bolques Jr. Ms.Frett-Gregory was concerned that young people who find themselves in trouble could, years later, find themselves restricted from serving in public office due to a felony conviction lingering on their record.