§1712 Election of delegates; majority; runoff election; vacancy; commencement of term

Summary

Voters who can vote for their territory’s legislature choose a Delegate at the 1972 general election and then every two years at the general election after that. The Delegates from the Virgin Islands and from Guam are elected by the whole territory and must get more than half the votes. If no one gets a majority, a runoff between the top two candidates is held 14 days after the election. If a Delegate dies, resigns, or is permanently disabled, the seat stays vacant until a successor is elected and qualified. The Delegate’s term starts on January 3 following the election.