1970 United States Virgin Islands voting age referendum
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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 | ||
