Voting age officially lowered to 16 in Alderney

Monday 26 September 2022

16 and 17-year-olds living in Alderney will now be able to vote in two elections being held in the island before the end of this year.

The law, reducing the voting age in Alderney from 18 to 16 has now been put on the statute books, meaning anyone over 16 by October 15 will be able to vote in elections in November and December.

There will be an Ordinary Election for five Member seats on Saturday November 26, with the Plebiscite Election - which sees the island decide who will represent the States of Alderney in the States of Guernsey - on Saturday December 10.

Pictured: Alderney Airport's runway is one topic likely to dominate future States business.

The Government of Alderney (Amendment) Law 2022 was registered in the Alderney Court last week, after receiving Royal Assent from the Privy Council.

King Charles III had given the amendment Royal Assent during a meeting of the Privy Council on 13 September.

This came after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, and his subsequent Proclamation on September 10, but before her State Funeral which was held on September 19.

The King had to travel across the UK for various Proclamation events, as well as continuing the daily work of the Monarch which must continue seamlessly.

Pictured: King Charles III has given Royal Assent.

Due to the timeframe of the new law being confirmed, and passed into Statute, it means that the forthcoming by-election on Saturday October 15 will not be open to 16 and 17 year olds, as the electoral roll is already closed to new applicants while that election process takes place.

The electoral roll will reopen on Monday October 17 to enable the public, including those teenagers between 16 and 18 years old, 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.