Jersey general election, 2008

Constable elections

For the first time since 1948 the elections of constables for the twelve parishes of Jersey have been synchronised so that polling, where necessary, will take place on the same day as the senatorial election on 15 October 2008, in accordance with the Connétables (Jersey) Law 2008 (registered 28 March 2008).

At Assemblies of Electors held in nine parishes on 17 September 2008, constables in five parishes were returned unopposed: St Brelade, St Martin, St Ouen, Trinity and St Saviour. The constables of the other parishes declined to stand down to recontest their seats, preferring to serve out their full term so that the provisions of the law will apply to the next mandate from 2011.

St Clement

Sitting Constable Derek Gray did not seek re-election. Senator Leonard Norman beat Deputy Gerard Baudains and Centenier Edgar Wallis.

St Helier

Following his 2008 re-election, Simon Crowcroft declared that he would not stand down to fight a second election in ten months, despite speculation that he would fight a senatorial campaign with a view to becoming Chief Minister.

St Lawrence

Deputy Deidre Mezbourian beat Chef de Police Tim Tindall.

St Mary

Sitting Constable Ken Le Brun is standing down. Deputy Juliette Gallichan beat former Chef de Police Terry Renouf.

St Peter

Procureur du Bien Public John Refault beat Deputy Collin Egré.

Senatorial election

The senatorial election took place on 15 October 2008. The election was island-wide and there were six seats available. At the Assembly of Electors held in Saint Helier on 16 September 2008, 21 candidates were nominated.

Final results are as follows:

Candidates

Three sitting senators did not seek re-election:

The following candidates were sitting senators seeking re-election:

The following candidates were sitting deputies seeking who ran in the senatorial election:

Candidates declared the following political affiliations:

Deputy elections

The election for deputies took place on 26 November 2008. Twelve new deputies were elected, five sitting deputies lost their seats and four were reelected without opposition.

Grouville

Carolyn Labey won unopposed.

St Helier No. 1

Incumbents Le Claire and Martin were joined by JDA candidate Trevor Pitman, husband of Shona Pitman re-elected in neighbouring St Helier No. 2

1. Paul Le Claire 634
2. Judy Martin 601
3. Trevor Pitman 487

St Helier No. 2

All three seats taken by JDA candidates; Southern and Pitman as incumbents joined by de Sousa.

1. Geoff Southern 665
2. Shona Pitman 598
3. Debbie de Sousa 444

On 20 February 2009 Geoff Southern and Shona Pitman pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court to charges of contravening the Public Elections Law with respect to irregularities in postal voting procedure, and were referred to the Royal Court for sentencing. They have also faced calls to annul the result of the election.

St Helier No.3/4

A recount to decide fourth place meant that incumbent Fox retained his seat by one vote. Incumbent Hilton topped the poll, but incumbent Huet lost her seat and incumbent de Faye, outgoing Minister for Transport and Technical services, was heavily defeated.

1. Jackie Hilton 1259
2. Mike Higgins 1193
3. Andrew Green 1057
4. Ben Fox 698

St John

Ryan, an incumbent in St Helier No. 1, stood in his parish of residence but was defeated by Rondel who had been Deputy for St John before standing down in 2005

1. Phil Rondel 678

St Lawrence

Incumbent Le Fondré topped the poll.

1. John Le Fondré 918
2. Edward Noel 518

St Martin

Incumbent Hill returned.

1. Bob Hill 832

St Mary

1. Daniel Wimberley 261

St Ouen

1. James Reed (Unopposed)

St Peter

Incumbent Egré returned.

1. Colin Egré 731

St Saviour No. 1

Incumbent Duhamel topped the poll, but incumbent Scott Warren was defeated. 21-year-old Maçon became the youngest States Member ever elected.

1. Rob Duhamel 569
2. Jeremy Maçon 448

St Saviour No. 2

Incumbent Lewis re-elected.

1. Kevin Lewis 509
2. Tracey Vallois 277

St Saviour No. 3

1. Roy Le Herissier (Unopposed)

Trinity

1. Deputy Anne Pryke (Unopposed)

CET referendum

A referendum on the question "Do you think that Jersey should adopt Central European Time?" was put to voters on 15 October.

Voting age reduced

The 2008 general election is the first in which 16- and 17-year-old voters will take part, following a law to reduce voting age to 16. The law was brought into force on 12 March 2008 and became effective on 1 April 2008.