A constitutional referendum was held in the United States Virgin Islands on 6 March 1979.^[1] Federal law passed by the United States Congress authorized the Virgin Islands and Guam to pass constitutions and form governments. A Constitutional Council had subsequently been elected in the 1977 general elections. The Council wrote and then unanimously adopted a draft constitution which provided for an elected governor and treasurer, a 17-seat Legislature, a local justice system and protections for Virgin Islander culture.

1979 United States Virgin Islands constitutional referendum

6 March 1979 (1979-03-06)
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 4,696 43.96% No 5,986 56.04% Valid votes 10,682 100.00% Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00% Total votes 10,682 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 27,732 38.52%

The draft constitution was rejected by the voters in the referendum.^[1]