USVI Newspaper Corrects Election Guide Error
A regional newspaper in the neighboring U.S. Virgin Islands has issued a clarification regarding an omission in its recent election guide supplement. The publication confirmed that gubernatorial candidates Gustav James and Randolph Bennett were inadvertently left out of an unofficial public notice, though official election materials remained accurate.
A regional newspaper in the neighboring United States Virgin Islands has issued a public clarification after an error appeared in its recent election supplement. The publication acknowledged that two candidates were omitted from an unofficial message included in its special coverage.
The error occurred in the General Election Guide 2026, an advertising supplement inserted into the Friday, October 16 edition of The Daily News. According to the publication, a free, unofficial public service message printed on Page Z18 inadvertently omitted the names of Gustav James and Randolph Bennett, who are running for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.
Publishers clarified that the omission was strictly confined to the unofficial advertising message. The Elections System of the Virgin Islands (ESVI) official Notice of General Election, which appeared on page Z12 of the same publication, as well as the official sample ballots printed on pages Z20 and Z21, correctly and completely listed all certified candidates.
While the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands maintain separate political systems and electoral bodies, developments in the neighbouring territory are closely watched across the Virgin Islands archipelago. Residents on both sides of the waters share deep familial, cultural, and commercial ties, often following political developments across the sister islands with keen interest.
Accurate dissemination of voter information remains vital during election cycles throughout the Caribbean region. Media organisations and election officials continue to emphasize the importance of relying on verified notices and official ballots provided by authorized electoral bodies as campaigning continues across the territory.
Primary source: Virgin Islands Daily News (Website)