States backs move to improve voter turnout

Jersey politicians have agreed to work on improving government transparency and engaging more directly with the democratic process in the next four years.

States members had been debating the Common Strategic Policy which lays out the Council of Ministers' priorities for the political term.

Deputy Carina Alves, who proposed an amendment to add a priority about transparency and democracy, said it was about making sure people had more access to information.

However, some politicians were worried government involvement with elections could be perceived as trying to influence them.

Alves said she hoped her amendment would improve voter turnout in the island such as by making election materials more accessible or by politicians sharing educational social media posts.

"I think a lot of the issues that I come across with my constituents is that the information is there but it's not necessarily easy to understand," she said.

Turnout in Jersey over the past 30 years has averaged about 44%, lower than all OECD countries, according to the Policy Centre Jersey.

At the 2026 election, voters were automatically registered in the hope it would encourage more voters.

About 2,400 more people voted than in 2022, but overall voter turnout fell by 9.2%.

Senator Elaine Millar described the amendment as a "recipe for disaster" and said the government would be accused of "controlling the process, of manipulating the process, of trying to interfere with the process for our own end".

Deputy Kirsten Morel said it could lead to "accusations of propaganda" and "conspiracy".

However, Alves said politicians should support and promote the work that had already carried out to promote democracy, not necessarily produce new work.

"It's not the responsibility of government to deliver these things, to deliver the materials, the initiatives, but it is the responsibility of government to ensure that we have an informed public," she said.

The amendment was passed with 42 votes in favour and three against.

States members still need to approve the Common Strategic Policy as a whole before the priorities come into place.