Report: Public Support, Limited Awareness: Virgin Islanders' Views of the Sixth Constitutional Convention
A new report from the University of Michigan's Center for Racial Justice and the University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras examines a critical disconnect in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Most residents believe the territory should ratify its own constitution, the majority remain unaware of the current process to create one.
Data collected by Island Analytics from 696 residents across St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas between October 2025 and February 2026 shows that 65% of respondents believe it is important for the U.S.Virgin Islands to ratify their own constitution. However, 63% of respondents reported little or no awareness of the ongoing Sixth Constitutional Convention, including 38% who had not heard about it at all.
The findings come at a pivotal moment, as a draft constitution is due by Feb. 28, 2027, with a territorywide ratification vote scheduled for July 3, 2027. Unlike U.S. states, the Virgin Islands have never ratified their own constitution; its governance is currently defined by federal statute rather than locally adopted law.
"Residents of the U.S.V.I. have historically had limited decision-making power over what happens in their homeland," said Ignangeli Salinas-Muñiz, a fellow at the U-M Center for Racial Justice and co-author of the brief. "What we are seeing in this data is that people do care about having their own constitution, but many feel disconnected from the process that is supposed to make that possible. Closing that gap is essential for the legitimacy of any future constitution."
The research brief, Public Support, Limited Awareness: Virgin Islanders' Views of the Sixth Constitutional Convention, identifies pronounced awareness gaps among younger residents and those with fewer years of formal education.
Key findings and public priorities
The report outlines several hurdles to engagement and specific policy priorities for the proposed document:
- Participation trends: Only 43% of respondents reported being somewhat or very likely to vote in the 2027 referendum. Engagement was significantly higher among older residents and those with more formal education.
- Constitutional priorities: Respondents expressed a desire for the constitution to address greater local autonomy, stronger environmental protections and provisions to curb government corruption.
- Voter eligibility: Residents remain divided on status referendum eligibility. Approximately 74% favor allowing any full-time Virgin Islands resident to vote, while 25% believe eligibility should be restricted to those with longer ties to the territory.
"This data shows that Virgin Islanders care deeply about self-determination," said co-author Mara Ostfeld, research associate professor at U-M's Ford School of Public Policy. "The convention is a powerful opportunity for residents to shape a governing document that reflects their priorities. I hope the months ahead deepen and broaden public engagement."
The authors warn that without expanded outreach and civic education, the 2027 vote risks a low turnout and limited legitimacy that hindered past constitutional efforts.
"Too many people feel left out of the process," said co-author Richard Dorsey, CEO of Island Analytics & Marketing. "Building trust means showing up in communities, communicating clearly and making sure everyday residents see themselves reflected in the draft constitution."
The report was also co-authored by Imani Daniel, delegate to the Sixth Constitutional Convention; Torhera Durand, deputy to the executive director at the UVI Research and Technology Park; and Mayra Vélez Serrano, professor of political science at the University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras.
