Democracy Week 2025 begins later this month
States Assembly
10 September 2025
Jersey’s sixth annual ‘Democracy Week’ kicks off on Saturday 20 September, launching a week-long series of events aimed to inspire, inform and engage Islanders about politics in Jersey.With the next General Election less than nine months away, several events are focused on voting and encouraging Islanders to consider the local issues that will influence their votes next year. There is also an opportunity for individuals considering standing for election to attend an event where they can hear from both the Greffier of the States and current States Members about the practicalities of holding public office.
The week will include:
A Screening of Suffragette movie and entry to Jersey Museum exhibition
Tuesday 23 September sees an opportunity to watch the British historical drama film about women’s suffrage in the United Kingdom, along with viewing the 1924 women's petition calling for equal rights in Jersey, on display in the new La Terr'rie d'Jerri gallery. Tickets are £5 with all proceeds going to Freeda. Booking via Eventbrite.
An event for potential election candidates
Islanders thinking of standing for election to the States Assembly in 2026 are invited to a free #PlanToStand breakfast event on Thursday 25 September in the States Chamber. The event will include:
- Guidance about starting to plan your campaign;
- A guided tour of the States Chamber by the Greffier of the States; and
- Q&A with current States Members about their experiences of public office.
‘People Power’ Exhibition
The Royal Square will be filled with displays highlighting the success and experiences of Islanders who have engaged with the Island’s political system. The exhibition shows real examples of how democracy has been used in the Island, from petitions and protests to campaigns and debates. The aim of the exhibition is to show how engaging with the Island's political system can lead to change and give everyone the voice to make a difference.
‘Mark My Words’ Final
Launched earlier this year, ‘Mark My Words’ invited Year 8 students around the Island to create a three-minute speech calling for local change in attitudes or actions related to conflict, sustainability or social responsibility. Participating schools held internal competitions to find both a finalist and runners up, who will now compete in the final in the States Chamber on Friday 26 September. Participants will deliver speeches and face questions from their peers during the session. A panel of judges will decide an overall winner based on the content and delivery of their speeches and the quality of their questions and answers. The event is closed to the public but photographs from the event will be shared afterwards.
Guided Tours
Islanders can sign up for a free tour of the States Chamber and/or a political history political walking tour around St. Helier, with accredited Blue Badge Guides.
The tour of the States Chamber is a unique opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the States Assembly and discover its history. The tour starts outside the Royal Court entrance and takes around one hour. The democracy themed walking tour uncovers the political history of the Island while strolling the streets, lanes and squares of St. Helier, taking around one and a half hours.
Both tours free but bookings are required via Eventbrite. Alternatively, you can book a group Corporate and Community Tour for your team or organisation throughout the year by emailing [email protected].
In addition, the regular monthly Royal Court and States Chamber Tour will take place on Saturday 20 September with an accredited Blue Badge Guide. This is a rare chance to see behind-the-scenes of both the Royal Court, the Island’s principal Court of Justice, and the States Chamber, where Jersey’s elected parliament meets to debate and create laws. Sign up here.
Learn more about elections in Jersey (English & Portuguese)
Staff from the States Greffe will be available to answer all your questions about voting and standing for election in Jersey at pop-up stands located around the Island during Democracy Week. There's no need to book, just stop by at the following venues:
- Saturday 20 September: Momentum Café, Minden Place: 2:00 - 4:00pm (Portuguese and English-speaking team)
- Monday 22 September: Grand Marche, St. Helier: 1:30 - 3:30pm
- Tuesday 23 September: De Gruchy, St. Helier: 12:00 - 2:00pm
- Wednesday 24 September: Waitrose, St. Saviour: 3:00 - 5:00pm
- Thursday 25 September: Co-op St. Peter: 9:00 - 11:00am
- Friday 26 September: Jersey Post Office, Broad Street: 12:00 - 2:00pm
- Saturday 27th September: Sip N Snack Café, Cheapside: 1:30 - 3:30pm (Portuguese and English-speaking team)
Constituency Drop-ins
If you're interested in speaking with your elected representative during Democracy Week, the following Constituency Drop-ins are taking place:
Monday 22 September:
- Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- Constituency: St. Helier South
- States Members: Deputies Sam Mézec, Tom Coles, Beatriz Porée
- Venue: Beresford Street Kitchen
- Time: 12pm - 2pm
- Constituency: St. Helier Central
- States Members: Deputies Catherine Curtis, Lyndsay Feltham
- Venue: St. Helier Town Hall
- Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
- Constituency: St. John
- States Members: Connétable Andy Jehan:
- Venue: St. John's Parish Hall
- Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
- Constituency: St. Clement
- States Members: Deputies Philip Bailhache, Alex Curtis, Barbara Ward, Karen Wilson and Connétable Marcus Troy
- Venue: St. Clement's Parish Hall
- Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
- Constituency: St. Brelade
- States Members: Deputies Helen Miles, Jonathan Renouf
- Venue: Waitrose Café, St. Brelade
The States Assembly podcast turns two!
The States Assembly Podcast will be celebrating its second birthday, after being launched as part of Democracy Week 2023. There are now 17 episodes published to help Islanders better understand the States Assembly and how to get the most out of it. The full list of episodes is available on the States Assembly website and Islanders can subscribe to the series on major podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify.
Education and Outreach Activities
A range of educational and outreach activities will be taking place during the week, including:
- First meeting of the new Jersey Youth Assembly
- Visits to schools and colleges across the Island by States Members during the week to deliver informative assemblies, participate in Q & A sessions and assist with school council elections
- Corporate and Community Tours of the States Chamber
- Schools and colleges will be utilising the resources in the Democracy Week packs distributed to them
- Key Stage 2 classes are being encouraged to ‘Design an Election Poster’, with the winning student receiving a day trip to London to visit Westminster along with £500 of craft materials for their school.
Jenny O’Brien, Head of Digital and Public Engagement at the States Greffe, said:
“Democracy Week is now in its sixth year, and we are delighted to have such a variety of events and activities on offer for Islanders to engage with. From free public tours to film screenings and pop-ups, we are confident there is something for everyone.
“The objective of Democracy Week has always been to try and make Jersey’s political system as accessible as possible, to as many Islanders as possible. With the election less than nine months away, Islanders will be thinking about what they care about most in Jersey, as well as what they would like to see change.
“As we approach June 2026, we will steadily be issuing further information and support for those Islanders wishing to learn more about the electoral process in the Island, as well as how to stand for election in their community”.
