Draft Elections (Senators) (Jersey) Amendment Law 202- (P.56/2025): fourth amendment (P.56/2025 Amd.(4)) – comments

STATES OF JERSEY

DRAFT ELECTIONS (SENATORS) (JERSEY) AMENDMENT LAW 202- (P.56/2025): FOURTH AMENDMENT (P.56/2025 AMD.(4)) – COMMENTS

Presented to the States on 4th September 2025 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee

STATES GREFFE

2025  P.56 Amd.(4).Com.

COMMENTS

This amendment seeks to return to the two-election day system which was last in effect in 2008. PPC doubts that going back to separate election days will boost voter numbers, in fact it considers it will have the opposite impact. When the single election day proposition was adopted in 2009, having been proposed by Deputy John Le Fondre (States Assembly | P-109-2009) it was argued that its inception would boost turnout, particularly for the Deputies' elections and reduce election fatigue'. In 2008, there had been a 10% reduction in the numbers of voters at the polls to choose their Deputies compared to the Senators' election the month earlier.

Deputy Tadier relies on the 2022 Judicial Greffe costs, which are of course now out of date, and does not appear to appreciate that holding two elections will be more expensive and resource hungry. There are also cost efficiencies which will be lost by having to run two separate elections.

Although Deputy Tadier refers to the Islanders who volunteer their time to assist with the elections, the Judicial Greffe is obliged to employ temporary staff to cope with the impact of the postal vote and pre-poll. The task requires individuals to be available for several weeks on an almost full-time basis. If Deputy Tadier 's proposal is adopted, the Judicial Greffe will need to seek further funding to cover the additional period of time that the temporary staff will be required. There will also be an increased burden on the Parishes, who will have to run two elections over a two-month period, requiring the goodwill of volunteers as well as officers working over two Sunday elections. The States Greffe will be required to produce and circulate separate manifesto booklets and run two public engagement campaigns and it is very likely that additional funding will be required.

It should not be overlooked that the burden on the returning officers (Autorisés) would increase if this proposal is adopted. The main returning officers are the Jurats and they have not been consulted in relation to this proposal. It is not known whether the Jurats would be able to carry out the role of returning officer in relation to two Sunday elections taking place within a month of each other, whilst also meeting their Court duties.

PPC acknowledges that one of the arguments for reintroducing a two-stage election process is to allow candidates who are unsuccessful to stand as a Deputy or Connétable a month later. Whilst this ensures candidates who may have come close to gaining an Island-wide mandate can have a second chance at election, it creates an unfair advantage for  those  candidates  who  will  have  benefited  from   Island-wide  publicity  via  the hustings, manifesto booklet, posters and leaflets. PPC considers that the existing single day election is fairer and more democratic as it provides a level playing field for all candidates.

The Committee was unable to meet to discuss these comments in person and therefore these represent the majority, rather than a consensus view.

Page - 2

P.56/2025 Amd.(4).Com.