Turnout in Jersey’s 2026 election is estimated to have been 32%, down from 42% at the previous election, according to provisional analysis by the Policy Centre Jersey.
However, the independent think tank said the apparent decline was largely the result of the introduction of automatic voter registration, which significantly increased the number of registered voters.
While the official turnout percentage fell, the number of people who cast a vote increased from 25,334 in 2022 to 27,133 this year, an increase of around 7%.
The Policy Centre said automatic registration meant almost everyone eligible to vote was included on the electoral roll, resulting in a larger electorate and a lower turnout figure when measured as a percentage of registered voters.
The analysis also highlighted a marked difference in turnout across the island’s parishes. St Mary recorded the highest turnout at 52.6%, while St Helier recorded the lowest at 21.9%, continuing a pattern seen in previous elections where participation is generally higher in rural parishes than in urban areas.
The think tank also compared Jersey’s figures with those of Guernsey, where turnout at the 2025 election was reported at 72%. It said differences in voter registration systems meant the figures were not directly comparable.
Jenny Bevis (pictured), Director of the Policy Centre Jersey, said: “Automatic registration ensured that almost everyone who was entitled to vote was on the electoral register. However, a consequence of this is that people who have no intention of voting are included in the size of the electorate, which deflates the turnout figure.
“So, Jersey’s official turnout rate is 32%, well below that of all OECD countries.
“Despite a range of initiatives to encourage participation, turnout levels have remained relatively unchanged.”
