1979 United States Virgin Islands constitutional referendum

1979 United States Virgin Islands constitutional referendum

6 March 1979 (1979-03-06)
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 4,696 43.96% No 5,986 56.04% Valid votes 10,682 100.00% Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00% Total votes 10,682 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 27,732 38.52%

Politics of the United States Virgin Islands
Constitution United States Constitution Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands
Executive Government Governor Albert Bryan Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach Cabinet
Legislature Legislature President of the Legislature Novelle E. Francis
Judiciary Court System Supreme Court District Court Superior Court
Elections Elections Political parties Democratic Party Independent Citizens Movement Republican Party Political party strength
Divisions Districts and sub-districts Islands St. Croix St. Thomas St. John
Federal relations Federal representation United States House of Representatives Delegate of the U.S. Virgin Islands Stacey Plaskett (D)
Politics of the United States Politics portal
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A constitutional referendum was held in the United States Virgin Islands on 6 March 1979.^[1] Federal law passed by the United States Congress authorized the Virgin Islands and Guam to pass constitutions and form governments. A Constitutional Council had subsequently been elected in the 1977 general elections. The Council wrote and then unanimously adopted a draft constitution which provided for an elected governor and treasurer, a 17-seat Legislature, a local justice system and protections for Virgin Islander culture.

The draft constitution was rejected by the voters in the referendum.^[1]