Constitutional Convention

Yesterday was an exciting day in Virgin Islands history. It was election day, which also meant local holiday for those lucky people who don't work for the federal government. We voted for delegates to be a part of the upcoming Constitutional Convention. The VI doesn't have a Constitution yet. (I think it's the only US territory without one.) Our current government structure comes from the Revised Organic Act, which is federal law. The Constitutional Convention will begin at the end of July. This is actually the fifth time a Constitutional Convention has convened, but for one reason or another, no final constitution ever came of the previous conventions. My rough understanding is there is a deadline of about one year for the delegates to come up with a draft constitution (needs 2/3 approval of the delegates); then it is submitted to the VI Governor, who then submits it to the US President. The President has 60 days to submit it to Congress, and I assume Congress has to approve it. Other than voting for the delegates, I'm not quite sure how Virgin Islanders really get to take a part of their constitution, given that it's subject to the approval of the President and Congress. Such is the life of us third class citizens who live in territories. (Or maybe that's how all the states got their constitutions too? Sadly, at the moment I have other things to do than research this issue.)

There were lots of people on the ballot - teachers, lawyers, jewelers, law enforcement officers, politicians, electricians, legislative workers, a former judge, a car salesman, etc. It was reminiscent of the California gubernatorial recall election in 2003. Residents of the St. Thomas/St. John district votes for 13 delegates from those islands, and also 4 at-large delegates: 2 from the St. Croix district and 2 from the St. Thomas/St. John district. The convention will have a total of 30 delegates. I have visions of white guys in wigs in the hot Philadelphia summer arguing about what democracy is. But that was 220 years ago, and I don't think many wigged white guys will be involved here. Nonetheless, it is pretty exciting. I hope something comes of the convention this time. Then it'll seem like we really got to take a part of creating a constitution with our votes yesterday.