I have visited the Virgin Islands recently and read that they do not vote for the president and such. If they are also U.S. territory, why don't they vote?
2007-01-06 02:42:39 · 11 answers · asked by Lena 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
Well, the fact that they don't pay taxes could explain part of it. But I think it's unfair that territories don't get to vote for President or don't have a direct voice in Congress. Maybe there can be a trade-off and offer them representation (maybe only in the House) if they pay taxes to the US government. However, DC has the same problem but vice-versa: they pay taxes but get no direct representation in Congress. So what if Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam or American Samoa want to become a country later on? But at least we should include them in our decisions. Otherwise, have the territories be included in a state. Say, PR voters would vote in NY, Guam voters in CA, Amer.Samoa voters in WA or USVI voters vote in FL? But I think we should give territories some representation in Congress and for electing our Pres. At least, this would be a fair idea.
2007-01-06 10:23:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's because they don't pay taxes therefore they're not directly affected by the decisions of this country. Also their trials are not held by the US and they have their own police that is isolated from the US's.
Only states get to vote for president and the current States all pay taxes, are in congress and are affected by the laws of the US.
US territories can apply to become a State if they have certain amount of citizens and some other requirements (I'm assuming they don't since they're mostly touristic areas and do not have as many residents year round).
Places like Puerto Rico are not states because they do not want to pay property tax.
2007-01-06 02:46:56 · answer #2 · answered by Silvia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they used to be the Danish Virgin islands and we don't trust them.
I dont know I visted there once too..but I dont think Puerto Rico, Guam and other Us territories get to vote. Just look at District of Columbia, those are actually continental Americans who don't get to vote.
2007-01-06 02:46:22 · answer #3 · answered by zackadoo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to function onto Alyssa's answer: Japan took Guam faraway from the U. S. interior the forties! Then the U. S. took it decrease back from Japan! Guam will pay taxes, however the taxes that Guam will pay is going decrease back to Guam and not into the U. S. as an entire. that is between the justifications Guam desires to stay a territory. That and their little blue passports.
2016-12-16 03:29:55 · answer #4 · answered by symons 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because only states can vote. Territories have their own governments.
2007-01-06 02:45:37 · answer #5 · answered by Mad About Purple 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only States and DC are given electoral votes for Presidential Elections...they participate in the campaigning and fundraising part, but the people have no direct say in the Presidential election.
2007-01-06 02:44:58 · answer #6 · answered by Laughing Man Copycat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it a US Territory, not a US State.
2007-01-06 02:44:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just answered your own question. You must be a citizen/resident of one of the 50 states to vote.
2007-01-06 02:46:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cause it's a territory and not a state, pretty simple.
2007-01-06 05:00:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're waiting for a virgin to run for the presidency--fat chance.
LOL
2007-01-06 02:47:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋