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BUDGET PRESENTATION BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMITTEE ON FINANCE August 11, 2025 FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET CAROLINE F. FAWKES 2 SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS ELECTIONS SYSTEM OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS INTRODUCTION 1 Good morning, Honorable Chairman Novelle E. Francis, Jr., 2 honorable members of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, 3 and Finance, other honorable Senators in attendance, legislative 4 staff, and all those joining us in person or virtually via YouTube and 5 Facebook, members of the press, and the viewing and listening 6 audience. 7 I am Caroline Fawkes, the Supervisor of Elections, Certified Elections 8 Registration Administrator (CERA). Joining me today is Raymond J. 9 Williams, Chairman of the Board of Elections, who is also a Certified 10 Elections Registration Administrator. 11 It is an honor to present the proposed budget for the Elections 12 System of the Virgin Islands for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This budget 13 includes allocations for both the Board of Elections and the Office of 14 the Supervisor, along with our accomplishments, challenges, and 15 goals. 16 2 The Board of Elections is the elected policy-making body for the 17 Elections System of the Virgin Islands. It consists of fourteen (14) 18 elected members, representing both the St. Thomas/St. John and St. 19 Croix districts, each serving a four-year term. Notably, two (2) 20 members from the St. Thomas/St. John District are required to be 21 residents of St. John. 22 The current members of the Board of Elections are Chairman 23 Raymond J. Williams-CERA, Vice Chairman Lawrence Boschulte- 24 CERA, Secretary Florine Audain Hassell-CERA, and members 25 Kareem T. Francis, Shikima L. Jones-Sprauve, Atanya Springette, 26 Dr. Cleopatra Peter, Michael A. Joseph, Esq., Barbara LaRonde, 27 Harriet Mercer, Lilliana Belardo de O’Neal-CERA, Chaneel Callwood, 28 Nathan Fletcher, and Cornelius Jn Baptiste. 29 I recognize and thank our eleven dedicated and skilled elections staff: 30 Kevermay Douglas, CERA – St. Thomas/St. John Deputy Supervisor; 31 Terrell Alexandre, CERA – St. Croix Deputy Supervisor; Milagritos 32 Venzen; Ulette Todmann-Hodge – Senior Elections Assistants; Mari 33 Felix; Ms. Stephanie Joseph; Sheri Richardson; Uri Peters; Mrs. 34 Mariana Romero – Election Assistants; and Tricia Johnson, 35 Administrative Assistant; as well as Denise Moore, Administrator of 36 3 Fiscal & Personnel Services, and Richard Wilson, Board Executive 37 Assistant. They are truly exceptional professionals in the field of 38 elections. I am pleased to say that we have no employees earning less 39 than $35,000.00. 40 I want to take a moment to spotlight two extraordinary individuals 41 who embody our unwavering commitment to excellence: Ms. 42 Stephanie Joseph, our Elections Assistant from the St. Thomas/St. 43 John District, and Mrs. Ulette Todmann Hodge, our Senior Elections 44 Assistant. Together, they represent the pinnacle of dedication, 45 performance, and selfless service, earning the distinguished title of 46 our 2025 Employees of the Year. Together they represent fifty (50) 47 years of service in elections. Their relentless passion and exceptional 48 contributions inspire us all to strive for greatness! 49 The Office of the Supervisor of Elections, which has locations on all 50 three islands, is responsible for the daily administration of the Virgin 51 Islands' elections system. 52 The role of an election administrator has transformed from a 53 primarily clerical position into a complex managerial role that 54 involves managing registration, various voting methods, and 55 providing voter education and communication. Due to the intricacies 56 4 of this position, the Elections Assistance Commission (Federal), 57 states and other professional certifying organizations are working to 58 provide the necessary training and support for election officials to 59 perform effectively. 60 Our foremost duty is to safeguard the integrity of elections, ensuring 61 that the voices of United States Virgin Islanders resonate powerfully 62 throughout the entire electoral process. We are committed to making 63 every vote count, because a true democracy thrives when its people 64 actively participate in shaping their future. Our responsibilities 65 extend beyond mere administration; we are the architects of 66 democracy. By organizing and directing the dedicated work of 67 election personnel, we ensure that every voice is heard, and every 68 vote is counted. We meticulously maintain accurate territory-wide 69 voter registration databases and continually update voter rolls, 70 safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. Our mission is to 71 empower citizens and uphold the cornerstone of our democracy—free 72 and fair elections. 73 At the heart of our democracy, we play a pivotal role in empowering 74 citizens through voter registration and advocating for fair electoral 75 practices. 76 5 We provide voters with accessible and fully equipped voting centers. 77 Our responsibilities include managing the seamless transfer of 78 registered voters who have moved, crafting robust budget proposals, 79 and accurately compiling payroll for our dedicated election officials 80 and workers. We also take pride in strategically assigning personnel 81 at voting centers to assist all voters and streamlining voter 82 registration, especially during the critical election period. Together, 83 we are not just facilitating an election but safeguarding the 84 democratic process and empowering everyone to participate in 85 shaping the future of our U.S. Virgin Islands. 86 ESVI play a crucial role in fostering a transparent electoral process 87 by actively disseminating vital election-related information to the 88 media, political parties, candidates, and the public in a timely 89 manner. Our responsibilities extend beyond mere information 90 sharing; we prepare the department's budget, diligently monitor 91 expenditures, and supervise financial records and transactions. 92 Additionally, we manage the candidate filing process and ensure 93 accurate campaign finance reporting, reinforcing the integrity of our 94 democratic system. 95 6 We are in constant monthly contact and attend meetings with the 96 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) from 97 Washington, District of Columbia. These meetings facilitate a 98 technical exchange and discussion on important cybersecurity issues 99 affecting state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) organizations and 100 the wider cyber community. Additionally, it provides opportunities to 101 learn more about CISA’s services and resources to bolster the 102 security posture of SLTT’s cyber networks. We remain in contact with 103 the Bureau of Information Technology regarding cybersecurity. 104 Lastly, I serve on the Virgin Island Cybersecurity Advisory Council. 105 See Appendix A – ESVI Organizational Chart 106 OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR PROPOSED 2026 BUDGET 107 As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining efficient 108 operations and safeguarding the integrity of our electoral processes, 109 the Elections system of the Virgin Islands requests funding in the 110 Fiscal Year 2026 budget to address several critical needs. 111 The proposed budget for the Office of the Supervisor in Fiscal Year 112 2026 is two million, five hundred fifty-three thousand, five hundred 113 dollars $2,553,500.00. 114 7 An estimated 57% of this budget will be allocated to salaries and 115 fringe benefits for eight classified and four exempt employees. 116 Additionally, 39% of the budget will be spent on other services and 117 charges, which include professional services, training, rental of 118 land/buildings, capital outlays, communication and security; 119 supplies (1%); and utilities (3%). 120 121 For FY2026, the budget proposal is as follows: 122 - Personnel Services: $1,096,000.00 123 - Fringe Benefits: $347,000.00 124 - Supplies: $35,000.00 125 - Professional Services and Training: $986,500.00 126 - Utility Services: $89,000.00 127 57% 39% 1% 3% 2026 Budget Supervisor of Elections Personnel Services Other Services Supplies Utility Services 8 The additional funding required for equipment, increases in 128 professional services, and unplanned emergencies are outlined 129 below: 130 a. Expected annual increases in the costs of Professional Services 131 contracts. 132 b. Upgrading of staff central processing units for their desktop 133 computers. ESVI presently have the 2018 versions. 134 c. Based on General Office Space best practices, ergonomics, health 135 and safety, we must upgrade the St. Thomas staff workspace and 136 furniture. General Office Space: Approximately 70-100 square feet 137 per person is recommended for office settings. These guidelines help 138 ensure safety and comfort in the workplace. Occupational Safety and 139 Health Administration oversight essentially covers means of 140 evacuation or egress procedures should there be a fire-related 141 emergency in a cubicle-defined environment. 142 Cubicle Space: Ergonomic guidelines suggest that cubicles should 143 provide enough space for comfortable movement and clearance for 144 legs and feet. In 2024 we received an estimated cost of $29,000.00, 145 however, due to no funding, we could not move forward with this 146 project. We estimate at least $33,000.00 for this project. We would 147 like to complete this project in fiscal year 2026. Understanding OSHA 148 9 office space requirements per person is crucial for ensuring a safe 149 and productive work environment. According to OSHA regulations, 150 the amount of space allocated per employee can significantly affect 151 comfort and efficiency. 152 d. Replacement of office furniture/equipment outside of the cubicles 153 – St. Thomas/St. John offices. Estimate of $5,000.00 154 e. As of July 31, 2025, the Office of the Supervisor has expended 155 $1,825,144.00, 73% of its budget. Outstanding vendor payments are 156 in the amount of $206,138. 20. 157 **Elections Miscellaneous Budget: ** 158 The Elections System of the Virgin Islands is requesting $650,000.00 159 to conduct the 2026 Elections. Funding should be provided in the 160 fiscal year 2026 Miscellaneous Budget. This does not include funding 161 in case there is a Runoff Election. A Run-Off Election is held when a 162 second election must be held because the first election did not reach 163 the necessary threshold of votes needed for a candidate to win. 164 The cost of an election embodies much more than just a financial 165 transaction; it represents the intricate machinery that ensures 166 democracy functions smoothly during critical moments when citizens 167 cast their votes. This investment encompasses the personnel, 168 10 equipment, and supplies necessary to conduct elections and 169 maintain the integrity of our electoral system. 170 At the core of election expenditures lies the vital infrastructure. This 171 includes managing and securing the voter registration database, 172 maintaining and testing vital voting equipment, and upholding 173 robust computer systems essential for daily operations and accurate 174 reporting of election results. Training dedicated election officials is 175 also crucial to maintaining a trustworthy electoral process. 176 The operational costs surrounding the election are equally 177 substantial. They can be categorized into four key areas: the printing 178 of ballots and related materials, compensating poll workers and 179 temporary staff, securing polling locations, and distributing 180 informational materials and mail ballots. 181 Every aspect of election administration is critical, from cybersecurity 182 and thorough audits to ensuring the safety of officials and polling 183 places. Accessibility must be prioritized, catering to all voters, 184 including those with disabilities. We must also focus on vote-by-mail 185 initiatives, comprehensive voter education, dual-language materials, 186 usability, and advanced voter technology. 187 It is imperative that election funding be appropriated this fiscal year 188 to ensure we are fully prepared for the pivotal elections in August and 189 11 November 2026. The processes and expenditures associated with 190 elections begin long before Election Day—this is our commitment to 191 safeguarding democracy. Let's invest wisely to ensure every voice is 192 heard. 193 **Active Registered Voters: ** 194 The total number of Active Registered Voters by island is as follows: 195 - St. Croix: 13,967 196 - St. Thomas: 12,866 197 - St. John: 1,061 198 Total Registered Active Voters: 27,894 as of July 31, 2025. 199 Please see Appendix B for the Active Voter Registration 200 Statistical Report. 201 202 **Inactive Registered Voters:** 203 The total number of Inactive Registered Voters by island is as follows: 204 13,967 12,866 1,061 Active Voters St. Croix St. Thomas St. John 12 - St. Croix: 12,996 205 - St. Thomas: 13,768 206 - St. John: 1,285 207 Total Registered Inactive Voters: 28,049 as of July 31, 2025. 208 209 210 211 See Appendix C – Inactive Voter’s Registration Statistical 212 Report. 213 We urge every citizen to actively shape our democracy by updating 214 their voter registration, utilizing our new online voter registration 215 service at vivote.gov or visiting our offices. Then making their voices 216 heard at the voting centers by voting. Your participation is not just a 217 right; it is our collective responsibility. Let us stand together and 218 ensure that every voice counts in the electoral process! 219 12,966 13,768 1.285 Inactive Voters St. Croix St. Thomas St. John 13 **THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL 220 YEAR 2026: ** 221 The Virgin Islands Board of Elections, established in Title 18, Chapter 222 3, Section 41, of the Virgin Islands Code is a single board that governs 223 both election districts. The Board is requesting a budget of three 224 thousand eight thousand and eighty-one, four hundred twenty-nine 225 and forty-cents -$381,429.40 for Fiscal Year 2026, allocated as 226 follows: 227 Personnel Services: $74,000.00 228 Fringe Benefits: $34,029.40 229 Supplies: $14,400.00 230 Capital Outlays: $95,000.00 231 Other Services: $164,000.00 (including Training & Stipends) 232 Twenty-eight percent (28%) of the Board of Elections' Budget is 233 dedicated to salaries and fringe benefits for the Executive Assistant. 234 An additional 68% falls under "Other Services," which includes 235 stipends, the replacement of two 2014 transportation vans, upgrades 236 to video teleconferencing systems in both districts, voter education 237 outreach, legal fees, election-specific training and certification for the 238 Election Center. Supplies account for the remaining 4% of the 239 budget 240 14 241 242 We are excited to announce our upgrade to the video teleconferencing 243 system. These state-of-the-art tools are set to revolutionize our 244 conference rooms, elevating meeting productivity and accelerating 245 decision-making processes. The estimated cost is $36,000.00. 246 In addition to this technological advancement, we also address the 247 pressing need to replace two outdated vans plagued by significant 248 maintenance issues. These vehicles are vital for transporting 249 personnel and our essential voting equipment for off-site 250 demonstrations, and they deserve better. Our recent experience on 251 May 9th, when Board Members were stranded due to a van cutting 252 out and stalling, highlights the urgency of this issue. No one should 253 have to worry about vehicle reliability while engaged in critical work. 254 28% 4% 68% Personnel Supplies Other Services 15 The estimated cost for one van is $70,000.00. While not the optimum 255 solution, with limited funding, we realize that we may have to 256 purchase one per year. 257 The cost of purchasing two new vans may initially seem high, 258 however, it is an investment in our organization's future. This 259 decision will ensure our Board Members and Staff safety, reliability, 260 and efficiency, translating into long-term savings and enhanced 261 operational capability. We are committed to being the best stewards 262 of the people’s money while investing in the tools and resources to 263 drive our success and help us achieve our mission. 264 As of July 31, 2025, the Board of Elections has expended 265 $154,074.00 - 62% of its budget. Outstanding vendor payments are 266 $13,128.37. 267 **ACCOMPLISHMENTS** 268 **Fiscal Year 2025 Accomplishments: ** 269 a. The Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor completed 270 audits for the 2025 General Election in both districts, verifying 100% 271 accuracy in ballot recording in the voting machines. 272 b. We continued updating our voter registration database, including 273 addresses, voter status, and missing document numbers, to fulfill the 274 16 2022-2024 Active/Inactive project mandated by law. This listing can 275 be found on our website, www.vivote.gov. 276 c. We are excited to announce the success of our civic education 277 campaigns, which promote voter awareness and participation among 278 our high school students. Thanks to former Board Member, Atty. Lisa 279 Harris Moorhead for serving as the moderator of the exciting Civics 280 Matters II Championship. A heartfelt congratulations to Free Will 281 Baptist Christian School for claiming the prestigious title of Civics 282 Matters Bowl champions in 2025! 283 As we look ahead, the planning for the 2026 Civics Bowl is already 284 underway, and we are eager to inspire even greater enthusiasm for 285 civic engagement. We remain committed to highlighting the critical 286 importance of voting. We are proud to amplify our message through 287 public service announcements in Spanish, ensuring that many voices 288 are heard and valued in our democracy. Let us empower our 289 community to act and make a difference at the ballot box! 290 d. We maintained post-election engagement to encourage voters to feel 291 comfortable and eager to participate in their local democracy. 292 e. Online voter registration (OVR) was first adopted by Arizona in 293 2002. It has gained traction in numerous states and territories 294 (including Guam) due to its ability to reduce costs, improve 295 17 government efficiency, and create more comprehensive and accurate 296 voter lists. Currently, forty-three (43) states, Washington D.C., and 297 Guam offer online registration. The Elections System of the Virgin 298 Islands launched its Online Voter Registration Portal on January 16, 299 2025. To date, eighteen (18)- STT; one (1) – STJ, and ten (10) STX 300 individuals have utilized this application. This platform provides 301 users with the ability to: 302 1. Register as a new voter 303 2. Perform voter registration updates 304 3. Cancel their voter registration; and 305 4. Request an absentee ballot 306 With confidence that our Online Voter Registration (OVR) system is 307 now fully operational, including a built-in user survey to gather 308 valuable feedback upon completion of the registration process we are 309 preparing to launch major public education campaigns throughout 310 2025-2026. This has been a key component of our long-term 311 strategy. We plan to conduct major education campaigns on this 312 process throughout 2025-2026, which has been our long-term goal. 313 f. Congratulations to Mr. Terrell Alexandre, St. Croix Deputy 314 Supervisor, and Board Member Audain-Hassell on completing the 315 CERA Certification. We now have fourteen (14) CERA-certified staff 316 18 and board members, both current and former. Member Atanya 317 Springette will obtain her certification in 2026. In addition, 318 numerous staff members will be eligible to obtain their certifications 319 during fiscal year 2026. 320 The Virgin Islands Members are part of an election organization of 321 more than 1,350 members nationwide. The Election Center has the 322 largest membership of state and local elections and voter registration 323 administrators and vendors of any election-related organization in 324 the United States of America. 325 g. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) hosted its first Region 326 Six (6) Conference this year in Guam from March 17-21, 2025, 327 bringing together representatives from all five U.S. territories, 328 American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Mariana Islands (Saipan, 329 Tinian, Agrihan, and Rota) and the US Virgin Islands. This was a 330 historical event for the EAC who had been in existence for twenty- 331 three (23) years. Each jurisdiction was represented by two election 332 officials, fully funded by the EAC, ensuring inclusive participation 333 and diverse perspectives, Terrell Alexandre and I attended this 334 conference. 335 This landmark event served as a pivotal opportunity for territories to 336 engage in meaningful collaboration, share best practices, and present 337 19 the unique election processes employed within their respective 338 regions. By showcasing these localized approaches, the conference 339 provided EAC leadership with direct insight into the challenges, 340 innovations, and operational frameworks that shape territorial 341 elections. 342 More than just a professional convening, the Region 6 Conference 343 marked a significant step toward strengthening inter-territorial 344 partnerships, amplifying regional voices, and fostering a more 345 responsive and informed national dialogue on election integrity. It 346 laid the groundwork for future policy alignment, technical support, 347 and peer-to-peer learning—ensuring that no territory remains an 348 afterthought in the pursuit of electoral excellence. 349 h. The St. Thomas staff presented to the Youth Arise Summer 350 Enrichment Program in July 2024 and July 2025, which saw the 351 participation of approximately seventeen students this year. The 352 students were educated on the importance of voting, including the 353 history of voting in America. A video explaining the branches of 354 government was shared with the group. Additionally, a 355 demonstration of voting machines was conducted. It was a valuable 356 experience for the students and the program coordinators, Dr. Arlene 357 Christopher, Vice President and Mr. Alston Creque. 358 20 i. ESVI has contracted with two vendors (Experian and Accurint) to 359 provide an additional data management tool. A direct connection to 360 over 34 billion current public records: Detect fraud, Verify identities 361 and Conduct investigations. 362 Experian is a multinational data broker and consumer credit 363 reporting company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Experian 364 collects and aggregates information on more than one billion people 365 and businesses including 235 million individual U.S. consumers and 366 more than 25 million U.S. businesses. 367 Accurint for Government can be used to verify, locate and 368 authenticate the identities of persons through Lexis Nexis. Accurint 369 offers fast, efficient search technology that allows you to instantly 370 locate both people and authenticate their identities. It verifies such 371 essential personal information as name, address and social security 372 number or federal identification number. These vendors are 373 respected voter registration and maintenance service providers 374 assisting to create process efficiencies and reduce the number of 375 undeliverable mailers. 376 j. By August 31st, we will launch an ElectionStats database on our 377 elections website. ElectionStats, built by Civera since 2012, is a 378 publishing platform and a searchable data warehouse of historic 379 21 elections, ballot questions, and voter turnout statistics. This software 380 brings public data to life. This portal will enable users to find what 381 they are looking for in a few clicks, and the platform provides data 382 visualizations to enhance their experience. 383 1. Every day, citizens get 24/7 searchable access to official election 384 USVI election results. 385 2. Candidates and civic groups have the information they need to 386 make decisions without paying third parties. 387 3. Journalists and researchers can download data and inform the 388 public with more depth and better insights. 389 This platform is America’s #1 platform for reporting historical election 390 results. Our agency can save time, eliminate costly records requests, 391 and increase voter confidence with this software. 392 k. I have attached a sample of the Early Voting Exit Surveys. One 393 thousand, three hundred and seventeen (1,317) results inputted 394 here are the results – 73% rated us as Excellent and 24% rated us 395 Very Good – that’s a total of 97%. This feedback from our voters 396 reflects positively on our commitment to excellence. I thank the 397 Board Members, staff, elections officials, and most importantly, the 398 voters. ESVI will build upon our success during the 2026 Election 399 Cycle. 400 22 **GOALS:** 401 a. Participate in National Voter Registration Day on September 15th. 402 The 2025 season of National Voter Registration Day has officially 403 launched! We anticipate over 100,000 state and local elections across 404 the country this year, and we are building a nationwide partner 405 coalition to help ensure that America is #VoteReady for their next trip 406 to the ballot box. 407 b. Develop a platform that provides digital voter registration 408 identification cards, allowing voters to store them on mobile devices. 409 c. Launch a marketing campaign to increase community awareness 410 of our online voter registration portal, specifically targeting 411 individuals aged 18-40. 412 d. Organize an Expo on all three islands on September 23, 2026. This 413 event will coincide with the final day of registration before the period 414 closes on October 11, 2026. Whether you are new to the voter 415 registration process or a veteran of National Voter Registration Day, 416 everyone can benefit from assistance getting their friends, family, and 417 the broader community registered to vote. We will partner with 418 various government and non-profit organizations to ensure that this 419 event is informative, educational, and provides networking 420 opportunities. 421 23 e. Purchase tablets and a portal on our website for the judges to 422 compile their reports. This will transition them from manual journal 423 reporting to electronic reporting. 424 f. To plan and execute another successful Quiz Bowl 2025-2026 to 425 include all the high schools territorially. 426 g. Continue implementing and conducting successful elections in the 427 2026 Election cycle. 428 h. To increase voter registration numbers and participation rates. 429 **CHALLENGES:** 430 a. **Engaging Citizens:** We must not only educate but also empower 431 our citizens to take their rightful place in democracy by registering to 432 vote. It's not just about having an ID; it's about inspiring them to 433 participate actively on election day and make their voices heard. 434 b. **Voting Center Conditions:** Utilizing public schools as voting 435 centers presents significant challenges. Broken air conditioning 436 creates uncomfortable environments that deter participation, while 437 insufficient electrical outlets hinder our operations. This forces us to 438 consider renting private facilities, adding unnecessary expenses and 439 complexities to the process. 440 c. **Funding Dilemma:** One of the most pressing hurdles we face is 441 securing adequate and timely funding. Engaging our dedicated 442 24 election officials (poll workers) and vendors without the necessary 443 resources becomes a daunting challenge. We need your support to 444 ensure these essential partners are paid timely, showing they are 445 valued. Funding must be provided during Fiscal Year 2026 and funds 446 must be available until expended. 447 e. **Combatting Misinformation:** The integrity of our elections hangs 448 in the balance as misinformation spreads like wildfire. We must band 449 together to combat this threat. We urge voters to seek accurate 450 information on our website and contact our office to clarify voting 451 laws and procedures. 452 On behalf of the Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor 453 of Elections, we earnestly implore this body to approve the proposed 454 Fiscal 2026 budget. This funding is not merely a financial allocation; 455 it is a commitment to uphold democracy, enhance electoral integrity, 456 and serve our community with excellence. Together, we can ensure 457 that every voice counts, and every vote is honored. 458 The agency's mission relies on financial resources to maintain and 459 expand initiatives that address the growing needs of the Virgin 460 Islands Elections System. This will ensure that we can provide 461 reliable and efficient operations, uphold the integrity of the electoral 462 25 system, and meet statutory deadlines mandated by law. Insufficient 463 funding could compromise the integrity of our electoral system. 464 *** SUMMARY *** 465 Office of the Supervisor FY26 Proposed Budget 466 - Personnel Services: $1,096,000.00 467 - Fringe Benefits: $347,000.00 468 - Supplies: $35,000.00 469 - Professional Services and Training: $986,500.00 470 - Utility Services: $89,000.00 471 - Total: $2,553,500.00 472 Board of Elections FY26 Proposed Budget 473 -Personnel Services: $74,000.00 474 -Fringe Benefits: $34,029.40 475 -Supplies: $14,400.00 476 -Capital Outlays: $95,000.00 477 - Other Services: $164,000.00 (including Training & Stipends) 478 -Total: $381,429.40 479 I will conclude with this quote: You Do Not Have a Right to Vote, You 480 Have a Duty to Vote”. David Barton 481 482 483 26 *** CONCLUSION *** 484 Chairman Francis, I kindly urge you and the committee members to 485 lend your full support and favorable consideration to the Elections 486 System of the Virgin Islands FY 2026 Budget. We are grateful to the 487 Committee Budget, Appropriations, and Finance and all members of 488 the 36th Legislature for this opportunity to present our proposed 489 Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Together, let us empower our community 490 by ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. “Your Voice is Your 491 Vote, and Your Vote is Your Voice.” Let us make this a reality for all.” 492 The Chairman of the Board and I are available to answer any 493 questions you may have regarding our Fiscal Year 2026 budget 494 Testimony. 495