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STATES OF JERSEY
DRAFT ELECTIONS (APPOINTED DAY) (JERSEY) ACT 202-
(P.17/2025): AMENDMENT (P.17/2025 AMD.) – COMMENTS
Presented to the States on 28th March 2025 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee
STATES GREFFE
2025 P.17 Amd. Com.
COMMENTS
Deputy Moore has lodged an amendment (P.17/2025 Amd.) to the Draft Elections (Appointed Day) (Jersey) Act 202- (P.17/2025) that gives Members a choice between 7th June 2026 (PPC's proposal) and 26th April 2026 (the Deputy 's proposal) for the next elections to the States Assembly.
PPC recognises that, in broad terms, the April election day proposed by Deputy Moore would allow for more time following the election for a new Council of Ministers to be selected and for new Scrutiny Panels to be formed before the Summer recess. It would also allow more time for the new Council to draft its Common Strategic Policy and its first Government Plan. An April date would also allow for the States Assembly to hold standard meetings (with questions, debates etc) before the Summer recess. An April date would see the election take place before the school exam period.
However, an April date would require campaigning and hustings for the election to take place over the Easter period, including during school periods. Easter in 2026 will fall on Sunday 5th April 2026 and the school holidays in Jersey are scheduled to run from Wednesday 1st April 2026 until Monday 20th April 2026. An April date would also evidently bring forward the deadline for the current Assembly, Council of Ministers and other bodies to complete their work before the Pre-Election Period began.
The Elections (Jersey) Law 2002, the States of Jersey Law 2005 and the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey all contain provisions that govern the timetable for elections to the States Assembly, the Pre-Election Period and the impact on States Assembly proceedings (for example, the selection of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers). Those provisions are as follows –
Event | Timeframe | Notes |
Pre-Election Period | From 2 months before the first day of the Nomination Period until election day | Standing Order 19A – No propositions may be lodged during this period unless the Bailiff considers them urgent and of public importance |
Prohibition on States Meetings | From the week before the week in which candidates nominated for election are announced until election day | Standing Order 7 |
Nomination Period | No more than 7 weeks and no less than 6 weeks before election day | Article 17C, Elections Law – The Nomination Period is determined by the Jersey Electoral Authority |
Selection of Chief Minister designate | Within 19 days following election day | Standing Order 112 – Nominations must be provided to the Greffier 5 clear working days before the meeting |
Selection of Ministers and Committee and Panel Chairs | 5 clear days after the meeting at which the Chief Minister designate is selected | Standing Order 112 |
Selection of Panel and Committee members | Not prescribed | Standing Order 112 |
Lodging of Common Strategic Policy | Within 4 months of the appointment of the Council of Ministers | States of Jersey Law, Article 18 – The first Government Plan of a new Council of Ministers is lodged at the same time |
The implications of these provisions for either of the proposed election days before the Assembly (26th April and 7th June 2026) are as follows:
Event | PPC's Proposal (7th June 2026) | Deputy Moore 's Proposal (26th April 2026) |
Prohibition on Lodging | Earliest: 19th February 2026 Latest: 26th February 2026 | Earliest: 8th January 2026 Latest: 15th January 2026 |
Last States Meeting | Earliest: Week beginning 6th April 2026 Latest: Week beginning 13th April 2026 | Earliest: Week beginning 23rd February 2026 Latest: Week beginning 2nd March 2026 |
Nomination Period | Earliest start: 19th April 2026 | Earliest start: 8th March 2026 |
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P.17/2025 Amd. Com.
| Latest start: 26th April 2026 | Latest start: 15th March 2026 |
Election Day | Sunday 7th June 2026 | Sunday 26th April 2026 |
Selection of Chief Minister designate | No later than 26th June 2026 | No later than 15th May 2026 |
Selection of Ministers and Panel and Committees Chairs | Last possible start date: 2nd July 2026 | Last possible start date: 21st May 2026 |