The 2026 election field is already shifting, just days after filing closed, as Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes said several aspirants have been disqualified for failing to meet nomination requirements under Virgin Islands law.
Reached by phone Tuesday night, Fawkes said the most recent disqualification involved Jed JohnHope, who, after expressing interest in a bid for governor, ultimately filed to run for Delegate to Congress. Under 18 V.I.C. § 381(b), candidates for offices elected territorywide must submit nomination papers signed by at least 100 qualified electors from each of at least two election districts. Fawkes said JohnHope did not meet that requirement, noting that his filing fell short of the district-based signature threshold.
The latest action follows earlier disqualifications involving former Sen. James Weber III and gubernatorial aspirant Roy Sheridan. Weber, who also filed for Delegate to Congress, was disqualified after filing in the wrong district. Under 18 V.I.C. § 410(a)(1), nomination papers must be filed with the Supervisor of Elections in the election district where the candidate resides.
Sheridan’s disqualification centered on his lieutenant governor filing. Fawkes said Horris Graham, who had been listed as Sheridan’s running mate, contacted her the next morning and later submitted a formal letter stating that he had not agreed to run with Sheridan. Fawkes said that once Graham objected, action was taken immediately because candidates for governor and lieutenant governor must file together as a team.
Another gubernatorial team also ran into eligibility issues. Fawkes said Stephen “Smokey” Frett’s running mate, Derek Bermudez, was not a registered voter in the territory, which prevented the team from moving forward. Under Virgin Islands law, candidates seeking placement on a party primary ballot must be registered voters and enrolled members of the party, while nomination papers for independent or political body candidates must be supported by qualified electors.
Fawkes said Elections staff are currently working through Democratic Party filings first because of approaching election deadlines and ballot preparation requirements. Candidate certifications must move through review and then be submitted to the Board of Elections as part of the process leading up to the May 29 casting of lots, which determines ballot placement for Democratic primary candidates.
Fawkes said the Elections System must initially accept candidate filings when submitted but then reviews whether aspirants meet legal requirements under Virgin Islands law before certifications move forward.
Fawkes said the Elections System is continuing its review ahead of upcoming election deadlines, including party processes and ballot-position procedures. She said candidates whose filings are rejected still have options to challenge a decision, either through the Board of Elections or in court.
“Anything can be challenged,” Fawkes said.
The disqualifications come after a crowded filing period that initially produced one of the territory’s busiest election fields in years, with multiple gubernatorial tickets, Delegate to Congress candidates, legislative aspirants, and board candidates submitting paperwork before the deadline. The Elections System is expected to continue moving through certification and ballot-placement steps in the days ahead.
