A referendum on the voting age was held in the United States Virgin Islands on 3 November 1970.[1] After the Legislature of the Islands requested a referendum take place, it was approved by the United States Congress on 6 October 1970.[1] Voters were given the options of 18, 19, 20 or 21, and the winning option had to receive an absolute majority of the vote.[1] Although the results saw 55.67% vote in favor of setting the voting age at 18,[1] when the blank votes were included, this dropped to 46.71%. A lawsuit was subsequently filed on 1 December 1970, and on 21 January 1971 a court decided that the blank ballots should be discarded, giving the 18 option an absolute majority of votes.[1]
Prior to the Elective Governor Acts of 1968, the governor of the US Virgin Islands was appointed. Melvin H. Evans was the first governor elected under the new system.
Results
edit| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Age 18 | 7,469 | 55.67 |
| Age 19 | 726 | 5.41 |
| Age 20 | 2,063 | 15.38 |
| Age 21 | 3,158 | 23.54 |
| Blank votes | 2,575 | – |
| Invalid votes | 131 | – |
| Total | 16,122 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 19'756 | 81.61 |
| Source: Direct Democracy | ||