A new law reducing the voting age in Alderney from 18 to 16 is now on the statute books.
The Government of Alderney (Amendment) Law 2022 was registered in the Alderney Court yesterday (September 22nd) after receiving Royal Assent from the Privy Council.
This will enable those aged 16 or over on or before October 15th to vote at the Ordinary Election for five Member seats on Saturday November 26th and the Plebiscite Election on Saturday December 10th in which voters choose two Members to represent the Island at the States of Deliberation in Guernsey.
However, the new law cannot apply to the forthcoming by-election on Saturday October 15th as the electoral roll is currently closed to new applicants while that election process takes place. It will reopen on Monday October 17th to enable the public, including 16 to 18-year-olds, to register to vote in the two remaining 2022 elections.
The Returning Officer, States of Alderney Chief Executive Kath Jones, said she was delighted the law has now come into force: “It has long been States Members’ intention to allow younger people to play a part in electing our politicians and President, as well as those who represent them at the States of Deliberation. I hope younger voters will grasp this opportunity to have their say and in doing so will feel they have an active role in the government of our Island.”
The States will now seek opportunities to encourage teenagers aged 16 to 18 to take part in the election process and in turn gain a greater understanding of how the system of government works in Alderney.
