Election Dates, Times, and Location

ST. THOMAS
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Friday, November 21, 2025
9:00 am to 6:00 p.m.
St. Thomas – Elections Office, Lockhart Gardens (above Banco Popular)

ST. CROIX
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Friday, November 21, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
St. Croix – Elections Office, Sunny Isle Shopping Center, Space 39 (Elections office has temporarily moved to this space due to ongoing construction)

ST. JOHN
Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Friday, November 21, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
St. John – Elections Office, The Market Place Suite II

Updated 11/03/2025

GESC Election -- Voting Options

Online Voting (available by using smartphones, computers and tablets via secured link provided by the Division of Personnel. Employees with a primary email on file will receive the voting link directly. Others can access it on 11/19, when voting begins.)

In-person Voting (see Election Dates, Times, and Locations above)

Absentee Voting (By request only--available if you can’t utilize the online voting or vote in person; mail-in or drop off your ballot)

*Please note: Eligible voters can vote for candidates in both districts. However, active employees can only vote for active employee candidates.  Retired employees can only vote for retired employee candidates.

Updated 11/03/2025

Eligible individuals must submit voter verification information (First and last name, Date of Birth, last six of social security number, status active employee or retiree) to confirm eligibility when requesting an absentee ballot.

Voters can request absentee ballots from October 20-28, 2025, ballots must be received by DOP no later than 5 days after the availability date.

How to Get an Absentee Ballot

Eligible voters who are unable to vote in person during the upcoming GESC Board Election may request an absentee ballot during the official request period, October 20 – 28, 2025.

Absentee Ballot Request Options:

1. By Phone: Call the GESC Election Hotline at (340) 714-5010.
2. Online: Click on this link  https://vi.jotform.com/252725928567067 and follow the prompts.
3. In Person: Visit the Division of Personnel office to complete your request.

Absentee Ballot Submission Deadline:

Completed absentee ballots must be received by the Division of Personnel no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Ballots may be mailed to the Division of Personnel or dropped off in person using the secure absentee ballot bin located at the Division’s office.

Submit Completed Ballots by Mail or Drop-Off:

• ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN DISTRICT
  Attn: GESC Election
  Division of Personnel
  3438 Kronprindsens Gade, 3rd Floor, GERS Building
  St. Thomas, VI 00802
• ST. CROIX DISTRICT
  Attn: GESC Election
  Division of Personnel
  3009 Orange Grove Shopping Center, Suite 6, 7 & 8
  Christiansted, VI 00820

Updated 10/20/2025

The following individuals have been certified as official candidates for
the Upcoming Election:

St. Thomas/St. John District – Active Employees

• Shorn T. Joseph
• Patricia Potter
• Cristal Spikes
• Gilbert Comissiong (Incumbent)

St. Thomas/St. John District – Retiree

• Lori Anderson (Incumbent – Unopposed)

St. Croix District – Active Employees

• Eliji J. Mondesir
• Avalon Smith
• Edna Hamilton-Cirilo
• Beverly Joseph (Incumbent)

St. Croix District – Retiree

• Debra Christopher (Incumbent – Unopposed)

**Active employees can only vote for active employee candidates.  Retired employees can only vote for retired employee candidates.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES

To learn more about the candidates in their own words, click this link (Candidate Statement) read what they have to say.

Updated 10/20/2025

Candidate Eligibility

To qualify, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Current Employee or Retiree of the Government of the Virgin Islands, including employees of the Legislature, the Judiciary, or the University of the Virgin Islands, OR
• Employee or Retiree of any independent or semi-autonomous agency or instrumentality of the Government of the Virgin Islands.

Applicants should also be prepared to:

• Commit the time necessary to participate in regular Board meetings, hearings, and committee work.
• Act in the best interests of employees and retirees by reviewing policies, budgets, and program updates.
• Maintain the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality in all Board matters.

Nomination Process

Applicants must download and complete the GESC Board Candidate Nomination Form, available by going to this link. Completed forms must be submitted to the Division of Personnel no later than 5pm on September 26, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to allow time for verification and processing.

For more information about candidate eligibility, nomination requirements, or voting procedures, please contact Janice Freeman at (340) 774-8588, Janice.Freeman@dop.vo.gov or visit www.dopusvi.org/GESCelection.

09/16/22025

What is the GESC?

The Commission is composed of nine members.

• 5 Appointed Members – Appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Legislature:
  • 2 residents of St. Thomas
  • 1 resident of St. John
  • 2 residents of St. Croix
• 2 Employee Members – Elected by government employees:
  • 1 from St. Thomas/St. John District
  • 1 from St. Croix District
• 2 Retiree Members – Elected by retired government employees:
  • 1 from St. Thomas/St. John District
  • 1 from St. Croix District

Terms of Membership

How long is the term?

• • Members serve two-year terms.
  • Vacancies with more than 6 months left require a special election. Vacancies with less than 6 months left are filled by gubernatorial appointment (with Legislature approval).
  • Members remain in office until their successors are appointed or elected.

How is leadership chosen?

• The Commission elects a Chairperson annually from among its members.

Do members receive compensation?

• Yes. Members receive $75 per meeting day plus necessary travel expenses.

Can members be removed?

• Members may be removed by the Governor for cause.

Powers and Duties

What are the Commission’s duties?

1. Represents the public interest in improving government personnel administration.
2. Advises the Governor and Director of Personnel on personnel issues.
3. Supports employee and professional organizations in strengthening personnel standards.
4. Provides reports and recommendations to improve government personnel administration.
5. May hire private legal counsel if the Attorney General has a conflict of interest.
6. May issue rules and regulations necessary for carrying out its responsibilities.

09/16/2025

The Health Insurance Board of Trustees to manage government employee health and life insurance, empowers it to regulate contracts and eligibility, and requires an advisory committee of key government and hospital leaders plus employee representatives

• Board of Trustees:

  • The Government Employees’ Service Commission members serve ex officio as the Health Insurance Board of Trustees.

  • Trustees receive $20 per day (not exceeding $500 per fiscal year) plus reimbursement for necessary expenses.

  • Responsible for overseeing the government’s health insurance plan (including life insurance).

• Powers of the Board:

  1. Set rules on eligibility for active and retired government employees.

  2. Define terms and conditions of insurance contracts.

  3. Handle purchase and administration of insurance contracts.

  4. Contract with third-party administrators for self-funded plans.

• Advisory Committee:

  • Seven (7) members, meeting at least twice yearly.

  • Members:

    • Director of the Office of Management and Budget

    • Commissioner of Health

    • Director of Personnel

    • CEO of Roy L. Schneider Hospital

    • CEO of Juan F. Luis Hospital

    • Two employees enrolled in the health insurance plan (appointed by the Board, two-year terms)

  • One member serves as chair.

The members of the Government Employees' Service Commission shall serve ex officio as the Health Insurance Board of Trustees (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the “Board”)

09/16/2025

Review the VI Code in its entirety of Government Employees Services Commission member terms, roles, and responsibilities.

3 VIC 6 GESC

3 VIC 472 Powers and duties

3 VIC 631 Health Insurance Board

09/16/2025