ISLANDERS hoping to vote in the upcoming election – which is now just a few weeks away – are being urged check their voter status following work to resolve discrepancies uncovered after the move to an automatic voter registration system.
The change was introduced earlier this year in a bid to modernise Jersey’s electoral services, reduce financial costs and administrative burden on the parishes and make it easier for Islanders to vote by removing the manual registration process.
The automatic voter registration system uses employment, social security and housing records held by the government to populate the electoral register, including eligibility to vote.
However, it emerged last month that work was under way to ensure records were not being missed due to various discrepancies – including how address data and names were listed.
St Brelade Constable Mike Jackson, who chairs the Constables’ Committee, said that “as with all software changes” there had been “glitches”, explaining that parish staff had noticed some individuals who should have been listed were not.
“We have been urging people who wish to vote just to ring and check with the parish halls.”
But Mr Jackson also highlighted efforts to resolve the issue and added that “everything is going in the right direction”.
In a statement yesterday, Vote.je said that Islanders “are encouraged to check their voter status to ensure their details are correct, particularly their address as this will impact where they vote and who they can vote for”.
Islanders can check this online via the Vote.je website or by calling or visiting their parish hall to confirm their registration.
Lisa Hart, Greffier of the States, said: “This is the final countdown to the election, and we want Islanders to be as prepared as possible.”
She continued: “The introduction of automatic voter registration will make it easier for thousands of voters to cast their vote in this year’s election.
“We encourage everyone to check their voter status so they are sure about where they are registered and who they can vote for.”
