Election changes could see teenage deputies

Thursday 25 April 2019

With Guernsey's first island wide election now around a year away, a number of changes could be introduced to who can stand.

Teenagers could be elected Deputy under one proposal with a proposal to lower the age of candidates to a minimum of 18. It is currently 21.

The States of Guernsey are debating a number of proposals which will affect the island wide election next year. That could see spending limits imposed on political parties - none of those officially exist within the States yet, but the Islanders Association and the 2020 Association have both said they intend to field candidates next year.

Changes to who can stand for election have also been discussed and will be voted on today. One amendment sought to ensure anyone over the age of 20 standing for the States had made at least 40 weeks worth of social security contributions for each of the two years ahead of an election. That was criticised by some who felt it would make it difficult for some candidates and the proposal was defeated. 

The debate is continuing today, with the States still to decide the dates of meetings following the 2020 election, when the island's political committees will be created. E-voting and other methods of updating the actual way the election is carried out are also on the agenda for today's States meeting.