States Assembly asked to agree date for 2026 election
28 February 2025
The Privileges and Procedures Committee has lodged a proposition requesting that States Members agree to hold Jersey’s next general election on Sunday 7 June 2026.
The Committee, which oversees States Assembly procedures, has suggested a weekend date after reviewing data obtained from other jurisdictions where voter turnout is higher. The Committee has also used insights from official studies into voter engagement.
Figures suggest that, over the past 30 years, voter turnout in Jersey has averaged 44.1%, while for the 2022 election was 41.7%. Data from the Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey also suggests that weekday polls disadvantage Islanders in full-time employment and younger voters who are students. The 2022 report revealed that 53% of Islanders aged over 65 voted, compared to 17% of those aged 16 to 34.
The Committee has put forward its proposal to establish if it has any effect on voter turnout. States Members will need to approve the proposal before the election date is confirmed.
The Chair of the Committee, Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone, said: ‘Research suggests that in many countries where elections are held at a weekend, voter turnout is much higher, and that Sundays are the preferred day for the electorate in those jurisdictions. The Committee believes that weekend voting will make it easier for Islanders – especially working people and students – to vote. It enables locations such as schools to be used as polling stations and gives families the chance to take their children to the polling station and show them democracy in action. Real democracy is when all adults have an equal opportunity to vote, and we need to explore ways to level the playing field if we want ours to function well.’
States Members are due debate the proposition on Tuesday 1 April 2025.
