Remaining members of VI Board of Elections get sworn in; Judge asks for apology for reckless conduct

ST. CROIX — Superior Court Judge Alphonso Andrews Sr. swore in the last two members elected to the Virgin Islands Board of Elections from the St. Croix District during a brief ceremony today in his courtroom.

All the members elected to the board last November took their oaths of office on Monday, January 6 except Cleopatra Peter and Michael Joseph, both of whom are now official board members following today’s ceremony. Peter declined to participate in the initial swearing-in ceremony since it was held on Three Kings Day, questioning the legality of taking her oath on an official holiday after reading a section of the Virgin Islands Code. Joseph was unable to attend the initial ceremony.

Before administering the oath, Andrews discussed a letter from Peter dated January 3 he did not receive until January 7, a day after the initial swearing-in ceremony. He said Peter requested clarification on the legality of the ceremony he held on January 6 in light of two sections of the elections law — 3(b) and 41(c) — found in Title 18 of the Virgin Islands Code. Section 3(b) references duties performed by individuals under Title 18 on Sundays or legal holidays, while Section 41(c) relates to the term of office for Board of Elections members.