Referendum Commission

The Referendum Commission is responsible for advising on the wording of any questions to be used in a referendum and for appointing the lead campaign groups for any referendum.

The Commission is appointed by the Privileges and Procedures Committee, with the consent of the States, under the Referendum (Jersey) Law 2017 and comprises a Chair and four other Commissioners.
Commissioners may serve for a maximum term of five years, with that term renewable up to a further five years.

The Commission currently comprises:

Advocate Mark Boothman, Chair
Mr Terry Le Sueur
Mr Christopher Dobbing

Why does Jersey have referendums?

Although the States Assembly makes decisions on behalf of the people of Jersey, there are times when the Assembly concludes that a matter is of such importance that it should be put directly before Islanders for a decision. This is done by means of a referendum where the public are asked to vote on the question before them. The wording of a referendum question is agreed by the States Assembly; but before the Assembly can debate and agree the wording, the Referendum Commission must provide its opinion on the proposed question. The Commission therefore examines proposed referendum questions, undertaking research and consultation as appropriate, before reporting to the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC). PPC then presents the Commission’s report on a proposed referendum question to the States Assembly.

If the States Assembly agrees that a referendum should be held, there is a period of campaigning before the day of the referendum; during which people and groups on both sides of the debate may put forward arguments and materials to convince others how to vote in the referendum. It is the Referendum Commission’s role to determine the individuals and groups who act as the lead campaign groups in respect of any referendum held in the Island.

In 2019, the Referendum Commission produced a report with advice and guidance on the use of referendums in Jersey: Referendums in Jersey.

No referendums have been held in Jersey since the Commission was first constituted and since the current Referendum Law was in place. Prior to 2017, there had been 3 referendums held under the previous Law, dating from 2002 -

In 2008, a referendum was held on whether Jersey should adopt Central European Time. The proposal was rejected by 17,230 votes to 6,564.
In 2013, a referendum was held on the composition of the States Assembly, with voters given 3 options from which to choose. Option B, for a States Assembly comprising 30 Deputies and 12 Connétables, was the most popular option, but this was not implemented.
In 2014, a referendum was held on whether Connétables should remain States Members as an automatic right. 15,068 voted yes in response to this question and 9,061 voted no.