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WRITTEN QUESTION TO CHAIRMAN OF COMITE DES CONNÉTABLES BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 1st JULY 2008
Question
In addition to the Scrutiny citizenship involvement, what specific initiatives are in place or under consideration to try to ensure registration of under 18's and promote their participation in voting in the coming 2008 elections?
Answer
The law was changed with effect from 1st April 2008 to permit those aged 16 years and over to register, provided they meet the other requirements, and all forms include the new age limit. Each year, forms and reminders are sent to every unit of dwelling accommodation to remind ALL those resident at the address that, if they are eligible, they have a duty to register.
The Comité des Connétable s seeks to ensure registration of all those who are eligible to vote under the Public Elections (Jersey) Law 2002, and to promote their participation in voting in the coming 2008 elections, and does not discriminate in favour of, or make special provision for, any one class of voter.
However, the Comité des Connétable s did write to the head teachers of all secondary schools in Jersey with students who are aged 16 years and over to advise that the Electoral Registration forms were being sent out and to ask that they encourage their students to register as soon as possible. All schools cover electoral issues as part of the Citizenship' studies program developed by the Education, Sport and Culture Department.
In addition, the Parish of St. Helier has recently employed a full time electoral officer whose responsibilities include raising awareness of the need for those eligible to vote to register, promotion of this need in a publicity campaign in English, Portuguese and Polish, and making visits to schools. The ERO has also had a meeting with the Youth Service and visited Youth Centres. The latter exercise was considered to be particularly worthwhile and resulted in electoral registration forms being completed on site.