Your voice – make a difference
This year on Wednesday 16th of May the whole of Jersey has the opportunity to vote for in the Public Election which is being held to recruit 8 Senators, 12 Connétables (one for each Parish) and for 29 Deputies in parishes or parish districts.
States members have varied roles and below is a brief list of some of the things they do:
- All members work directly with members of their electoral district to help them resolve any problems. This work is varied and involves participation in Parish meetings, Roads Committees and other parish business.
- The States Assembly meets fortnightly on average to debate matters happening within Jersey. Members need to read and research the main issues to be debated so that they can participate in the discussions and bring amendments if their constituents would be disadvantaged by any proposals, or where their constituents have expressed strong views.
- Many members are appointed to a particular role, either Minister, Assistant Minister, or Chairman/member of the Public Accounts Committee, Planning Applications Panel, Scrutiny Panel, or Privileges and Procedures Committee, for example. This involves participating in meetings, making decisions on policy, scrutinising policy and improving procedures.
What States members do:
Why vote?
The Island is living through interesting times. Many of the choices that States members must make will affect you and your daily life directly.
Check out the video about why you should vote in the up coming election.
How to vote?
If you are 16+ yrs and have lived in Jersey for the last 2 years or the last 6 months plus any other periods when you have lived in Jersey which add up to 5 years.
You can register to vote online or by visiting your parish hall and filling in a registration form.
When can you vote?
- You can vote on election day in the Parish you are registered to vote in. Polls will be open from 8am to 8pm on election day at your local Parish polling station.
- Anyone who is registered to vote can pre-poll vote in the weeks leading up to an election. Pre-polling for all Islanders will be open at St Paul’s Gate in New Street, St Helier from 8.30am to 5.15pm Monday 30 April until 2:00pm on Monday 14 May 2018. Closed Bank Holiday Monday 7 May and Liberation Day Wednesday 9 May 2018.Weekend pre-poll stations are also available for all Islanders at Trinity Youth Centre from 10:00am-1:00pm on Saturday 5 May 2018 and Communicare, St Brelade from 10:00am-1:00pm on Saturday 12 May 2018.
- If you are registered to vote you will be able to vote by post if:
– You will be out of the Island during the hours of polling; or You have registered to vote, but your name and address have been deliberately omitted from the electoral register because there is a risk or threat of harm to you.
If you would like support registering to vote or have any questions and are under the age of 25 years old pop into the YES drop-in
LINKS:
Watch the ‘One Day’ Play to find out how voting works in Jersey
