Basics

Jersey isn’t particularly well known for its sparklingly high election turnouts – at the last Constable Election in St Helier the turnout struggled to reach the mid-20s.

At the recent 2008 election for Senator and Constable – which also included a referendum vote on Central European Time saw turnouts of around 45% - 50% in some Parishes and 34% in St Helier.

Here is the turnout in each Parish in 2008:

• St Ouen - 46.69%
• St Mary - 59.57%
• St John - 49.44%
• Trinity - 51.52%
• St Martin - 50.06%
• St Peter - 51.52%
• St Lawrence - 50.1%
• St Helier - 34.05%
• St Saviour - 51.52%
• Grouville - 52.4%
• St Clement - 48.05%
• St Brelade - 46.29%

Overall these figures put Jersey near the bottom of the world election turnout table.

There are potentially many reasons for the low turnout in Jersey – many short term residents not particularly interested in voting, a confusing electoral system and states make-up or even a general lack of interest.

But is that enough of an excuse? The States of Jersey spent around £30 thousand before the most recent election to encourage registration and turnout – overall the number of people registering was around 2% up on last time and turnout was around the same.

If investing in awareness and education campaigns hasn’t worked and there doesn’t seem to be an appetite amongst current States Members for any serious electoral reform – should we be looking at more radical approaches to increasing voter turnout by 2011?

Changing results?

A higher turnout could change the face of Jersey politics – for example, if St Helier saw a similar turnout to that of the country parishes the top six may well have been different at the end of the night.

There were 1400 votes between Sarah Ferguson in sixth and Geoff Southern in fifth. Geoff Southern came third in St Helier and Sarah Ferguson ninth – an extra 20% of people voting could have seen sixth and seventh place overall swap round.

Who Really Cares?

So what can be done – or should anything be done – to increase turnout at the islands elections?

Compulsory?

The country with the highest election turnout in the world is Australia – they see an average of a 95% turnout across all their elections.

This is mainly due to the fact that since the 1920s voting has been compulsory in Australia – everybody eligible has to register and vote.

Australia isn’t alone either it’s also compulsory to vote in several other countries around the world including Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Liechtenstein and Singapore – among others.

Belgium sees an average turnout of 91% and Brazil 83%. The islands average electoral turnout is below the USA, Switzerland and Poland.

There are many arguments that could be put against compulsory voting. It could be said that as voting is a civic duty and not a civil right – you shouldn’t be forced to carry it out.

Voters in polling booths on election day

While citizens may exercise their legal rights (free speech, voting, etc.) they are not compelled to.

But the evidence on the other hand does show that it gets people voting – would introducing it for say three elections to show people how things work and then dropping it help?

Reform

Or maybe we should just lobby harder for states reform – the first General Election in Guernsey after changing to a single office system and a general election day saw a turnout of around 60%.

However since then the turnout out in our sister island, with its reformed assembly has fallen to levels just slightly higher than Jersey - the mid-40s.

Incentives

Should the law be changed so that people can be rewarded for voting? How about an income tax allowance for people that vote or a direct cash reward?

What about a one month 1% drop in your ITIS payments?

Or is it better to not even stray into the subject of rewards for voting – should it be something you choose to do freely and if you decide you don’t want to – you should be allowed to make that decision for yourself.

Making it simpler

Would introducing online voting, mobile phone voting or even just allowing you to vote at any polling station in the island make a difference?

Share your thoughts on how and whether we should increase voter turnout.