Why is voter turnout so low at Jersey elections?

For the last 30 years Jersey's voter turnout has averaged 44% - one of the lowest voting levels in the world.

Ahead of the election on 7 June, the BBC has been speaking to voters and experts to ask why the island's election turnout is so low.

Some voters, like Louis Bowen, said despite regularly voting in elections for Jersey's States Assembly, they had grown disillusioned because "nothing changes".

A professor who studies Jersey elections said education was key to boosting turnout.

In 2022, only about three in 10 eligible voters voted in the Jersey election.

Bowen, a painter and decorator, said the States Assembly needed new blood to encourage more people to get involved in choosing them.

"For me you've got too many old school in there who don't want to change nothing. You need younger ones because they are the future," he said.

Bowen said he felt the politicians did not "look after their own": "We are a rich island, and you have people going to the food bank that shouldn't be happening in Jersey."

Mike Hopkins said the lack of change meant he would not vote: "Last time I voted for change and it all stayed the same as it was years ago, I do no think there is enough change happening."

Tracey Benn, a café owner in Gorey, said turnout would improve if more people with a business background ran for election.

"I would like to see more businessmen and women in the States Assembly. Running Jersey is like running a business," she said.

"If you want to be a politician you need to be able to command £60,000 in the private sector and you know back in the day we had retired businessman who were our politicians, very effective politicians."

For the 2026 election, officials have brought in Sunday voting with the hope it will improve turnout among students, families and working people.

Chris Pich, a professor at Nottingham University business school, has researched and written papers about voter turnout in Jersey.

He said: "Around 60% of the world's population votes on a Sunday, and I think it will make a small difference.

"The UK have looked at this since the year 2000 and had over 160 consultations and pilots but they've never brought it in because they found it didn't make a huge difference."

People in Jersey appear divided on whether Sunday voting will make a difference.

Eileen Vowden said: "I don't think it will make much difference to be honest, if you want to vote you go out and vote, regardless of the day."

Ashley Petty added: "I like to think it will help, but Sunday is a day for rest, so will people get out? I don't know."

Alex Osunde said: "Probably yes because it's not a working day but it requires promotion to get people to turn up and exercise their right."

Teenagers in Jersey can vote from the age of 16 but voter turnout among 16-35 years olds is particularly low, at the last election it was just 17%.

Previously young people told the BBC a lack of education about politics and exam commitments were a couple of reasons they don't vote.

The BBC asked three members of Jersey's youth assembly what could encourage young people to vote.

Alaric Corbin said: "I think the solution is with education, we have been seeing the States Greffe do more with schools through assemblies and mock elections and it gets people familiar with the type of voting system we have."

"I don't have any reference to previous elections but I think there has been an increase in engagement with young people, I think it's to do with who is running, there are candidates who are popular with the youth and not popular and that brings attention."

Oliver Macready said voter turnout would probably increase among young people this year but acknowledged there were some challenges.

He said: "I think a lot of people would choose not to vote because a lot of issues wouldn't be solved for them, they are moving to the UK for university and that would turn them off from voting because it wouldn't solve any issues for them."

Penelope Deschamps felt young people did not feel seen by politicians.

She said: "I think the problem is a lot of young people don't feel like their voices are represented by politicians and they don't feel policies address their issues in Jersey."

Pich said the solution to addressing low turnout in all age groups lay in addressing the "growing mistrust and the disconnection between voters and politicians."

"When we talk about education, we think it's young people, but I've argued that educational programmes need to be available for post 18 right up to older voters because they need to be aware their vote does count and we need to build a strong community between voters and states members."

"In 2022-2023 we engaged with some lifelong disengaged voters and just by engaging with them and giving them the chance to ask questions about politics, we got them excited about politics, it lit something inside them."

The list of candidates for Jersey's election can be found here.

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