Elections in Jersey
Encyclopedia
Elections in Jersey take place for the Assembly of the States of Jersey
and at parish
-level. Various parties have been formed over the years in Jersey, but few candidates stand for election affiliated
to any political party. All elections in Jersey use the First-past-the-post voting system. In 2008, the voting age
was reduced to 16 years.
. From November 2011, the assembly of the States of Jersey
has 51 elected members: 10 Senators (elected on an island-wide basis), 29 Deputies (elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies) and 12 Connétable
s (heads of the parish
es). The term of office is four years.
The most recent elections were held in 1993
, 1996
, 1999
, 2002
, 2005, 2008
and October 2011
(when, for the first time, Senators, Deputies and Connétables
stood for election on the same day). The next general election will be held in October 2014.
- the largest and last parish to declare - often deciding the election. Since the 1980s, parish loyalties to local candidates have faded in favour of Islandwide issues and it is usual for the pattern of winning candidates to be clear from the first declarations, with "Town" voters in St Helier only likely to decide the last-placed candidate. Initially, Senators served terms of nine years but this was reduced to six years in 1966 and to four years in 2011.
The number of Senators will be reduced to eight in the 2015 elections. As part of the transitional arrangements for this new electoral system, the six Senators elected for six-year terms in 2008
did not face election in 2011.
Up to the 2008 elections, six of the 12 Senatorial seats fell vacant every three years in elections held in November. Deputies had three year terms, with elections held in October. Defeated Senatorial candidates were therefore able to stand in the following Deputorial elections. It was not uncommon for an incumbent Senator denied re-election by the Island electorate to seek a refreshed mandate in their own parish. A number of prospective candidates for Deputy used the preceding Senatorials as a dry-run to either raise their public profile or, in the absence of a strong tie to one particular parish, to see which Deputorial constituency gave them the highest Senatorial vote. There was no uniform date for Connétable elections.
To be nominated for Senator, a candidate must secure a nomination paper signed by 10 validly-registered voters, including a proposer and seconder. The proposer and seconder must attend in person the Electoral Assembly ("nomination meeting") held at the Parish Hall of St Helier, presided over by the Comité des Connétables, and the proposer must read out publicly the nomination form, including the candidate's declaration of criminal convictions (or of no criminal convictions).
If more candidates are nominated than there are seats available, a poll is declared, to be taken on the date set by the Royal Court. If there are no more candidates nominated after 20 minutes than available seats, then the candidates are declared elected unopposed and no poll is taken. The Royal Court appoints an autorisé
for each constituency to oversee the poll (usually, but not exclusively, a Jurat
or Crown Officer). Results for each parish on polling day are declared by the autorisé.
In the October 2011
elections, four senatorial seats were contested, each voter having a maximum of four unranked votes in a first past the post bloc voting
system (multi-member plurality system). In the October 2014 elections, each voter will have eight unranked votes for Senator.
(or Chef de Police or Procureur du Bien Public
) of the respective parish held at the respective parish's parish hall (Public Hall in the case of St. Martin
) or other place as may be specified.
In the case of parishes divided into more than one electoral district, nominations are accepted at the Electoral Assembly by district, nominations for each district having to last at least 20 minutes. (see articles on individual parishes for electoral districts)
In single-member districts, a simple first past the post election is held. In multi-member districts, the system is that of a first past the post bloc election analogous to the Senatorials.
For deputies:
(or "Constable") heads the administration of each of the twelve parishes.
Procureurs du Bien Public
and Centeniers are elected under the same rules as Senators, Deputies
and Constable
s.
Centeniers, Vingteniers and Constable's Officers, collectively the Honorary Police
are elected by a Parish assembly along with members of the Roads Committee
and Roads Inspector
s and must take an oath of office before the Royal Court
.
Other municipal officials are also elected by an Assembly of Electors but are not subject to an oath of office.
Changes to the Voting Law meant that all elections for the position of Procureur du Bien Public
and Centenier now follow the rule applied to elections to the States of Jersey. Since such elections are generally uncontested the following list details contested elections only. A full list of people elected to Parish Municipalities can be found at List of politicians in Jersey.
Constable elections are normally for a period of three years. From 2008, all Constables will be elected on a single day, all terms will be cut short to allow for this Thus all elections in 2006 and 2007 are for a period until that date.
).
Those entitled to register must be
and either
The right to vote is determined by residency, not citizenship, and therefore citizens of any state may vote in Jersey elections provided they fulfill the other requirements for electoral registration.
On 4 July 2007, the States of Jersey voted to reduce voting age
to 16. The law was brought into force on 12 March 2008, with effect from 1 April 2008, allowing 16- and 17-year-old voters to register in time for the 2008 elections.
Those entitled to vote at elections other than public elections are electors, ratepayers and mandataires.
The first public election by secret ballot
was held on 1 December 1891, following the passing of the law providing for secret ballots on 26 January 1891. Secret ballots are not required for other elections (at Parish Assemblies) and may be conducted by show of hands, although such elections may be conducted by means of secret ballot.
s are elected by electoral college
rather than by Islandwide vote.
States of Jersey
The States of Jersey is the parliament and government of Jersey.The Assembly of the States of Jersey has exercised legislative powers since 1771, when law-making power was transferred from the Royal Court of Jersey....
and at parish
Parishes of Jersey
The Channel Island of Jersey is divided into twelve administrative districts or parishes. All have access to the sea and are named after the saints to whom their ancient parish churches are dedicated.:* Saint Helier...
-level. Various parties have been formed over the years in Jersey, but few candidates stand for election affiliated
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
to any political party. All elections in Jersey use the First-past-the-post voting system. In 2008, the voting age
Voting age
A voting age is a minimum age established by law that a person must attain to be eligible to vote in a public election.The vast majority of countries in the world have established a voting age. Most governments consider that those of any age lower than the chosen threshold lack the necessary...
was reduced to 16 years.
National elections
Jersey elects a legislatureLegislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
. From November 2011, the assembly of the States of Jersey
States of Jersey
The States of Jersey is the parliament and government of Jersey.The Assembly of the States of Jersey has exercised legislative powers since 1771, when law-making power was transferred from the Royal Court of Jersey....
has 51 elected members: 10 Senators (elected on an island-wide basis), 29 Deputies (elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies) and 12 Connétable
Connétable
Connétables in Jersey and Guernsey are the elected heads of the Parishes. They are often called 'constables' in English. The constables are entitled each to carry a silver-tipped baton of office.- Jersey :...
s (heads of the parish
Parishes of Jersey
The Channel Island of Jersey is divided into twelve administrative districts or parishes. All have access to the sea and are named after the saints to whom their ancient parish churches are dedicated.:* Saint Helier...
es). The term of office is four years.
The most recent elections were held in 1993
Jersey general election, 1993
Elections were held in 1993 for both Senators and Deputies to the States of Jersey.-Senator Elections:*Vernon Tomes 16,392 votes*Stuart Syvret 14,388 votes*John Rothwell 9,586 votes*Anne Bailhache 9,020 votes...
, 1996
Jersey general election, 1996
Elections were held in 1996 for both Senators and Deputies to the States of Jersey.-Senator Elections:*Pierre Horsfall 14,681*Corrie Stein 11,213*Len Norman 11,017*Wendy Kinnard 10,520*Frank Walker 10,295...
, 1999
Jersey general election, 1999
Elections were held in 1999 for both Senators and Deputies to the States of Jersey.-Senator Elections:* Stuart Syvret 15,212* Christopher Lakeman 12,806* Terry Le Sueur10,471* Paul Le Claire 8,287* Jean Le Maistre 7,796...
, 2002
Jersey general election, 2002
Elections were held in 2002 for both Senators and Deputies to the States of Jersey.-Senator Elections:*Philip Ozouf: 14442*Wendy Kinnard: 12230*Paul Routier: 11687*Mike Vibert: 10624*Len Norman: 10192*Frank Walker: 9377*Guy de Faye: 7576...
, 2005, 2008
Jersey general election, 2008
The Jersey general election, 2008 was a series of elections that were taking place in two stages in October and November 2008 in Jersey.- Constable elections :...
and October 2011
Jersey general election, 2011
General elections for the States of Jersey will be held in Jersey on 19 October 2011, and for the first time Senators, Deputies and Constables will be elected on a single day in Jersey. This will reduce the number of members of the States of Jersey from 53 to 51...
(when, for the first time, Senators, Deputies and Connétables
Connétable
Connétables in Jersey and Guernsey are the elected heads of the Parishes. They are often called 'constables' in English. The constables are entitled each to carry a silver-tipped baton of office.- Jersey :...
stood for election on the same day). The next general election will be held in October 2014.
Senators
The office of Senator was created in 1948. In the early years of Senatorial elections since 1948, parish loyalties meant that votes would swing around the candidates, with Saint HelierSaint Helier
Saint Helier is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel. St. Helier has a population of about 28,000, roughly 31.2% of the total population of Jersey, and is the capital of the Island . The urban area of the parish of St...
- the largest and last parish to declare - often deciding the election. Since the 1980s, parish loyalties to local candidates have faded in favour of Islandwide issues and it is usual for the pattern of winning candidates to be clear from the first declarations, with "Town" voters in St Helier only likely to decide the last-placed candidate. Initially, Senators served terms of nine years but this was reduced to six years in 1966 and to four years in 2011.
The number of Senators will be reduced to eight in the 2015 elections. As part of the transitional arrangements for this new electoral system, the six Senators elected for six-year terms in 2008
Jersey general election, 2008
The Jersey general election, 2008 was a series of elections that were taking place in two stages in October and November 2008 in Jersey.- Constable elections :...
did not face election in 2011.
Up to the 2008 elections, six of the 12 Senatorial seats fell vacant every three years in elections held in November. Deputies had three year terms, with elections held in October. Defeated Senatorial candidates were therefore able to stand in the following Deputorial elections. It was not uncommon for an incumbent Senator denied re-election by the Island electorate to seek a refreshed mandate in their own parish. A number of prospective candidates for Deputy used the preceding Senatorials as a dry-run to either raise their public profile or, in the absence of a strong tie to one particular parish, to see which Deputorial constituency gave them the highest Senatorial vote. There was no uniform date for Connétable elections.
To be nominated for Senator, a candidate must secure a nomination paper signed by 10 validly-registered voters, including a proposer and seconder. The proposer and seconder must attend in person the Electoral Assembly ("nomination meeting") held at the Parish Hall of St Helier, presided over by the Comité des Connétables, and the proposer must read out publicly the nomination form, including the candidate's declaration of criminal convictions (or of no criminal convictions).
If more candidates are nominated than there are seats available, a poll is declared, to be taken on the date set by the Royal Court. If there are no more candidates nominated after 20 minutes than available seats, then the candidates are declared elected unopposed and no poll is taken. The Royal Court appoints an autorisé
Returning Officer
In various parliamentary systems, a returning officer is responsible for overseeing elections in one or more constituencies.-Australia:In Australia a returning officer is an employee of the Australian Electoral Commission or a State Electoral Commission who heads the local divisional office...
for each constituency to oversee the poll (usually, but not exclusively, a Jurat
Jurat
Jurat is the name given to the clause at the foot of an affidavit showing when, where, and before whom the actual oath was sworn or affirmation was made....
or Crown Officer). Results for each parish on polling day are declared by the autorisé.
In the October 2011
Jersey general election, 2011
General elections for the States of Jersey will be held in Jersey on 19 October 2011, and for the first time Senators, Deputies and Constables will be elected on a single day in Jersey. This will reduce the number of members of the States of Jersey from 53 to 51...
elections, four senatorial seats were contested, each voter having a maximum of four unranked votes in a first past the post bloc voting
Plurality-at-large voting
Plurality-at-large voting is a non-proportional voting system for electing several representatives from a single multimember electoral district using a series of check boxes and tallying votes similar to a plurality election...
system (multi-member plurality system). In the October 2014 elections, each voter will have eight unranked votes for Senator.
Deputies
The procedure for nomination for Deputy follows the same pattern as for the Senatorials, except that the nomination paper must be signed by 10 voters, including proposer and seconder, validly registered in the constituency in which they intend standing (for a Senatorial election, the constituency is one all-Island constituency). The proposer and seconder must attend in person the Electoral Assembly ("nomination meeting") presided by the ConstableConnétable
Connétables in Jersey and Guernsey are the elected heads of the Parishes. They are often called 'constables' in English. The constables are entitled each to carry a silver-tipped baton of office.- Jersey :...
(or Chef de Police or Procureur du Bien Public
Procureur du Bien Public
A Procureur du Bien Public is the legal and financial representative of a parish in Jersey. Procureurs are elected for a term of three years....
) of the respective parish held at the respective parish's parish hall (Public Hall in the case of St. Martin
Saint Martin, Jersey
-Subdivisions:St. Martin is divided into vingtaines as follows:*La Vingtaine de Rozel*La Vingtaine de Faldouet*La Vingtaine de la Quéruée*La Vingtaine de l'Église*La Vingtaine du Fief de la ReineThe Écréhous are part of the parish of St...
) or other place as may be specified.
In the case of parishes divided into more than one electoral district, nominations are accepted at the Electoral Assembly by district, nominations for each district having to last at least 20 minutes. (see articles on individual parishes for electoral districts)
In single-member districts, a simple first past the post election is held. In multi-member districts, the system is that of a first past the post bloc election analogous to the Senatorials.
By-elections
For senators:- Jersey by-elections, 1999Jersey by-elections, 1999-Results:*Jerry Dorey 3,320*Paul Le Claire 1,811*Harry Cole 923*Geraint Jennings 440-Deputy By Election:St Helier Number One by election held April 1999 to replace Jerry Dorey who had been elected as Senator in February 1999.-Results:...
- Jersey by-elections, 2003Jersey by-elections, 2003-Results:Candidates *Ted Vibert 3983*Alastair Layzell 3712*Ian MacFirbhisigh 2487*Geno Gouveia 1761*Harry Cole 489-Psephological Information:*Electorate: 47825*Total Poll: 12432*Spoilt Papers: 139*% Poll: 29.31%-References:...
- Jersey by-elections, 2004Jersey by-elections, 2004-Results:Candidate *Dick Shenton 7144*Juliette Gallichan 1715*Robert Weston 1284*Kevin Lewis 724*Robert Brown 264*Terry Coutanche 249*Spoilt Papers 13, Percentage Turnout 28.32...
- A Senatorial by-election was ordered for 16 June 2010
For deputies:
- Jersey by-elections, 1999Jersey by-elections, 1999-Results:*Jerry Dorey 3,320*Paul Le Claire 1,811*Harry Cole 923*Geraint Jennings 440-Deputy By Election:St Helier Number One by election held April 1999 to replace Jerry Dorey who had been elected as Senator in February 1999.-Results:...
- Jersey by-elections, 2000Jersey by-elections, 2000The following by elections for Deputy took place in 2000 in Jersey.-St. Helier No. 1 District:Election date: May 2000*Judy Martin 190 votes*Harry Cole 182 votes*David Pipon 165 votes*Geno Gouveia 134 votes*Chris Whitworth 36 votes...
Local elections
The elected ConnétableConnétable
Connétables in Jersey and Guernsey are the elected heads of the Parishes. They are often called 'constables' in English. The constables are entitled each to carry a silver-tipped baton of office.- Jersey :...
(or "Constable") heads the administration of each of the twelve parishes.
Procureurs du Bien Public
Procureur du Bien Public
A Procureur du Bien Public is the legal and financial representative of a parish in Jersey. Procureurs are elected for a term of three years....
and Centeniers are elected under the same rules as Senators, Deputies
States of Jersey
The States of Jersey is the parliament and government of Jersey.The Assembly of the States of Jersey has exercised legislative powers since 1771, when law-making power was transferred from the Royal Court of Jersey....
and Constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
s.
Centeniers, Vingteniers and Constable's Officers, collectively the Honorary Police
Honorary Police
There is an Honorary Police force in each of the 12 parishes of Jersey. Members of the Honorary Police are elected by the voters of the parish in which they serve, and are unpaid....
are elected by a Parish assembly along with members of the Roads Committee
Roads Committee
In Jersey, the Roads Committee is the highway authority for Parish roads in each Parish. In accordance with the Loi sur la Voirie it superintends the repair and maintenance of by-roads in the Parish, establishes boundary stones, issues Choses Publiques licenses, examines planning applications...
and Roads Inspector
Roads Inspector
A Roads Inspector is a statutory office in Jersey responsible for the maintenance of public highways.The Parish Assembly elects two Roads Inspectors for each Vingtaine [or Cueillette in St Ouen] for a three-year term of office in accordance with the Loi sur la Voirie...
s and must take an oath of office before the Royal Court
Politics of Jersey
Politics of the Bailiwick of Jersey takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic constitution.As one of the Crown Dependencies, Jersey is autonomous and self-governing, with its own independent legal, administrative and fiscal systems.The legislature is the Assembly of...
.
Other municipal officials are also elected by an Assembly of Electors but are not subject to an oath of office.
Changes to the Voting Law meant that all elections for the position of Procureur du Bien Public
Procureur du Bien Public
A Procureur du Bien Public is the legal and financial representative of a parish in Jersey. Procureurs are elected for a term of three years....
and Centenier now follow the rule applied to elections to the States of Jersey. Since such elections are generally uncontested the following list details contested elections only. A full list of people elected to Parish Municipalities can be found at List of politicians in Jersey.
- Jersey regional elections, 2006
- Jersey regional elections, 2007
- Jersey regional elections, 2008
Constable elections are normally for a period of three years. From 2008, all Constables will be elected on a single day, all terms will be cut short to allow for this Thus all elections in 2006 and 2007 are for a period until that date.
- Jersey constable election, 2001
- Jersey constable election, 2002
- Jersey constable election, 2003
- Jersey constable election, 2004
- Jersey constable election, 2005
- Jersey constable election, 2006
- Jersey constable election, 2007Jersey constable election, 2007-Constable Elections in 2007:Constable elections are normally for a period of three years. From 2008, all Constables will be elected on a single day, all terms will be cut short to allow for this Thus all elections in 2007 are for a period until that date....
- Jersey constable election, 2008Jersey general election, 2008The Jersey general election, 2008 was a series of elections that were taking place in two stages in October and November 2008 in Jersey.- Constable elections :...
Electoral register
Those eligible to vote at a public election (for Senators, Deputies, Constables, Procureurs du Bien Public and Centeniers) are those whose names are included on the electoral register for the relevant electoral district (the register is compiled by vingtaineVingtaine
A vingtaine is a political subdivision of Jersey. They are subdivisions of the various parishes of Jersey, and one, La Vingtaine de la Ville , in Saint Helier is further divided into two cantons.St...
).
Those entitled to register must be
- at least 16 years old (lowered from 18 in 2008);
- ordinarily resident in the relevant electoral district;
and either
- ordinarily resident in Jersey for the period of at least two years prior to registration; or
- ordinarily resident in Jersey for a period of at least six months up to and including that day, as well as having completed a total of at least five years of ordinary residency in Jersey at some foregoing period.
The right to vote is determined by residency, not citizenship, and therefore citizens of any state may vote in Jersey elections provided they fulfill the other requirements for electoral registration.
On 4 July 2007, the States of Jersey voted to reduce voting age
Voting age
A voting age is a minimum age established by law that a person must attain to be eligible to vote in a public election.The vast majority of countries in the world have established a voting age. Most governments consider that those of any age lower than the chosen threshold lack the necessary...
to 16. The law was brought into force on 12 March 2008, with effect from 1 April 2008, allowing 16- and 17-year-old voters to register in time for the 2008 elections.
Those entitled to vote at elections other than public elections are electors, ratepayers and mandataires.
The first public election by secret ballot
Secret ballot
The secret ballot is a voting method in which a voter's choices in an election or a referendum are anonymous. The key aim is to ensure the voter records a sincere choice by forestalling attempts to influence the voter by intimidation or bribery. The system is one means of achieving the goal of...
was held on 1 December 1891, following the passing of the law providing for secret ballots on 26 January 1891. Secret ballots are not required for other elections (at Parish Assemblies) and may be conducted by show of hands, although such elections may be conducted by means of secret ballot.
Indirect elections
Since the 1948 constitutional reforms, JuratJurat
Jurat is the name given to the clause at the foot of an affidavit showing when, where, and before whom the actual oath was sworn or affirmation was made....
s are elected by electoral college
Electoral college
An electoral college is a set of electors who are selected to elect a candidate to a particular office. Often these represent different organizations or entities, with each organization or entity represented by a particular number of electors or with votes weighted in a particular way...
rather than by Islandwide vote.