Elections in Guernsey

Updated on Dec 31, 2023

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Elections in Guernsey gives information on election and election results in Guernsey with additional information of Sark and Alderney elections.

Guernsey

Guernsey elects a legislature at the national level. The Guernsey States of Deliberation consists of 38 elected members (known as Deputies) and two representatives of Alderney, with the Bailiff (or his Deputy) acting as Presiding Officer with neither a casting nor original vote. In addition the Law Officers of the Crown are members of the States of Deliberation but they may not vote and by convention only address the assembly when answering questions or offering legal advice on matters under debate. Guernsey is a state in which political parties don't play an important role.

Islanders also vote for their Parish officials.

Voters are eligible to be inscribed on the electoral roll of Guernsey if they are:

15 or over (being able to vote from the age 16);

have been resident in Guernsey for 5 years (with or without breaks) or 2 years continuously;

are ordinarily resident in Guernsey;

are not subject to a legal disability.

Guernsey States of Deliberation elections

Held every 4 years. The Guernsey States of Deliberation consists of 38 elected members (known as Deputies) and two representatives of Alderney, with the Bailiff (or his Deputy) acting as Presiding Officer with neither a casting nor original vote. Prior to 2016, the number of elected members was 45+2.

The election districts since 2004 have been:

Saint Peter Port North District

Saint Peter Port South District

West District (Torteval, Forest, St. Saviour's, St. Pierre-du-Bois)

South East District (St. Martin's and St. Andrew's)

Vale District

St Sampson's District

Castel District

Administrative divisions - Parishes

Each parish in Guernsey is administered by a Douzaine. Douzeniers are elected for a six-year mandate, two Douzeniers being elected by parishioners at a Parish Meeting in November each year. The senior Douzenier is known as the Doyen.

Two elected Constables carry out the decisions of the Douzaine, serving for between one and three years. The longest serving Constable is known as the Senior Constable and his or her colleague as the Junior Constable.

Each Douzaine nominates between one and nine of their number (depending upon the population in the parish) (34 in total) to represent their parish in the States of Election for a new Jurat.

Alderney

Alderney elects its own parliament, as well as two representatives to the bailiwick assembly. States Members hold office for four years and in alternate years there is an "Ordinary Election" at which five of the sitting members may offer themselves for re-election. The President of the States of Alderney is elected for a four-year term of office.