Prisoners could get vote in election rule changes

The States of Jersey is considering allowing prisoners to vote to help create "a commitment to the common good"

All prisoners in Jersey could soon get the vote, if proposed changes are approved.

The States of Jersey is considering the changes to create "social ties and a commitment to the common good".

Currently people serving sentences of four years or more in the island are barred from voting.

In 2005 the European Court of Human Rights said the UK was discriminating against prisoners by banning them from voting.

The UK now allows those on remand and awaiting sentencing to vote, but does not extend the right to all prisoners.

Prisoners in Guernsey already have the right to vote in their home district.

The change could affect up to 200 inmates at La Moye jail in St Brelade who could be given postal votes for their home constituency.

Other proposals from the privileges and procedures committee would see eligible children automatically added to the electoral register once they reach the voting age of 16.

It will mean they no longer have to register themselves.

Other changes include making sure postal votes for all islanders have to be returned at least two working days before the election and reserving home visits for only those voters who cannot get to the polls due to unforeseen circumstances.

The suggestions are based on the findings of two reports - one from the local election authority and another from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

In 2022 60,701 islanders were registered to vote and just 41% of them voted in the general election, according to a Policy Centre Jersey report.