voting

First off, every citizen of the USVI is a citizen of the USA. But territories don't vote for president. That's just the way it is. So if you are a resident of the USVI, no voting.

I assume many folks who reside temporarily on island keep their official residence on the mainland.

Tamara,

Like Linda said we are all American citizens.
Now, in terms of residency:
A USVI residents who is an Americna citizen who is registered to vote in the local elections - can not vote for president.

A new resident who had residency in any of the US states and retains his/her voting registration for which ever state he/she was from can still vote for president. BUT this person can not vote in local USVI election if they are voting back home!! Only can be registered in one place.

And lastly a USVI residents who moves to the states and takes up residency there and registers to vote there can no longer vote in the USVI... its one of the other.

The three sites listed below will help you understand why it is so: Cut and paste the links.

Article about the case presented in court:
http://www.law.yale.edu/outside/html/Public_Affairs/227/yls_article.htm

To read an article about the man who began the case by sueing the gov't go to
http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2003/vol7n01/ManIslandsVoice-en.shtml

Read this one for history of USVI legislature system
http://www.senate.gov.vi/25thLegislature/historyinfo/vileghistory.html

Hope that helps.

--Islander