Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Virgin Islands

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Virgin Islands.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: NA
Administrative Divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
Legal System: based on US laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Citizenship: see United States
Executive Branch: chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN of the US (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021) head of government: Governor Albert Bryan Jr. (since 7 January 2019); Lieutenant Governor Tregenza ROACH (since 7 January 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with cabinet members confirmed by the legislature elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2026) election results: Albert BRYAN Jr. reelected governor; percent of vote - Albert BRYAN Jr. (Democrat) 56%, Janelle SARAUW (Independent) 38%
Legislative Branch: Unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) Elections: last held on November 8, 2022 (next to be held in November 2024) Election results: seats by party — Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 5, independent 1 Note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held November 8, 2022; results — Stacey PLASKETT (Democrat) reelected to represent the territory in the US House of Representatives, a seat she has held since 2015
Judicial Branch: US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Political Parties: Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Head of State: President Joseph R. BIDEN of the US
Head of Government: Governor Albert Bryan Jr.
Elections: last held on November 8, 2022 (next to be held in November 2024)
Election Results: seats by party — Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 5, independent 1 Note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held November 8, 2022; results — Stacey PLASKETT (Democrat) reelected to represent the territory in the US House of Representatives, a seat she has held since 2015
Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Independence: black 78%, white 10%, other 12%
National Holiday: Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)
International Organization Participation: Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: none (territory of the US)
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: none (territory of the US)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Charlotte Amalie
Location: 18 21 N, 64 56 W
Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
History: originally called Taphus in Danish - meaning "tap house" or "beer house" because of its many beer halls - the town received a more dignified name in 1691 when it was named Charlotte Amalie in honor of Danish King CHRISTIAN V’s wife, Charlotte AMALIE of Hesse-Kassel (1650–1714)

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
Flag History: White is for purity. The letters V and I stand for the Virgin Islands

National Anthem

Anthem History: The Anthem of the United States is used

Back to Virgin Islands