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Over 40% of islanders did not vote in Jersey's most recent election, according to a recent study by a UK university – which identified voter cynicism, low quality candidates, and electoral system confusion as some of the key reasons for the island's poor voter turnout.
Dr Christopher Pich, a marketing lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, explored islanders' attitudes towards voting in the 2022 General Election in his study ‘Exploring the Voter Journey in the Context of Jersey: Engagement, Barriers and Recommendations’.
The research – conducted through focus group discussions and one-on-one interviews – uncovered growing frustration and cynicism among voters toward the political system and electoral process.
Recommendations to improve voter turnout in the next election were also put forward in the report.
Pictured: ‘Exploring the Voter Journey in the Context of Jersey: Engagement, Barriers and Recommendations’ was published by the Nottingham Business School.
Dr Pich found that only 59% of islanders voted in the 2022 General Election, with the remainder abstaining because they were ill, off-island, ineligible, or disillusioned.
A quarter of non-voters in the study claimed they would not vote in future elections because they felt politics and voting are irrelevant.
One islander said: “Voting doesn’t make a difference…it doesn’t affect me”.
Another added: “So many people who feel their vote will not make a difference…so what’s the point..."
The feeling that voting was pointless – especially for short-term residents in Jersey – was identified as a key barrier to voting in the report.
One respondent said: "Young [islanders] won’t vote as they will leave the island, [they think] what’s the point and don’t care”.
Another islander from a minority community said: “Jersey isn't home…what’s the point in voting?”
“I’m not planning on staying so no need to get involved,” another added.
Pictured: The study identified a lot of confusion about Jersey's electoral process and political system.
Dr Pich's study also found that many islanders did not vote because they were not happy with the candidates.
His report explained: “Participants in most focus groups and interviews argued the limited number of ‘quality of candidates’ with little knowledge, experience, or skills suitable for the elected office."
Other islanders did not vote because were confused about the electoral process and political system.
One said: “I do not understand Constables, Deputies, Ministers.. I do not understand the system. As much as I am trying to find out it is still very confusing.”
Another added: “The whole electoral system is madness and baffling…Jersey’s system is completely bonkers…outsiders do not understand the culture…people do not understand how it works…complicated different types of politicians."
One participant, who had abstained from voting for 40 years, said: “I find the process complicated, overwhelming and candidates underwhelming."
Some non-Jersey-born participants said they wanted to know more about the process but were hesitant to ask for guidance, fearing they would look “stupid”.
The study claimed that "voter apathy is on the rise".
Dr Pich explained: “Several individuals that voted in 2022 highlighted that in recent years they had started to become ‘disconnected’, ‘cynical of politicians’, and ‘disillusioned’ with the electoral process.
“This is a result of various factors including the perception of a lack of ‘accountability’, ‘transparency’ and candidates who ‘sweet talk people into promising all the great things’.”
The report urged policymakers to address the identified barriers to voting and to improve efforts to engage islanders.
Recommendations included education and communication strategies, creating a positive voting culture, implementing “myth buster campaigns”, and even mandatory voting.
Dr Pich's full report can be read HERE.
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