The former Chief Minister wants Jersey’s next general election to be brought forward by six weeks – to avoid the awkward optics of campaigning politicians waving flags and singing hymns on 9 May.
Sunday 7 June is currently the suggested date for the 2026 election, but Deputy Kristina Moore is calling for it to instead take place on Sunday 26 April, arguing that the island’s most symbolic civic occasion should be free of any pre-election awkwardness.
“An election before Liberation Day would also allow all Members to fully focus on the day and not be distracted by the last few weeks of election campaigning,” she said.
“An earlier election would also expedite the process of not just swearing in of the Assembly but also the appointment of a new Chief Minister.
“The timeline would ensure that the new Chief Minister to be in post prior to Liberation Day.”
Deputy Moore, who recently confirmed that she does not intend to stand for election next year, also noted that Sunday 26 April would be in the school Easter holidays.
“Holding the final campaign period over school holidays will provide suitable time for children and young people to get involved in campaigns if they wish to,” she said.
“This could provide an opportunity to increase voter turnout for the 16-18 year-old demographic as they will, potentially, be more politically aware and able to focus more on campaign events if they are not also focussed solely on educational activities.”
The former Chief Minister also said that an earlier election would allow a more time for the Common Strategic Policy and Government Plan to be drafted and scrutinised.
She said: “The currently proposed June election date would put too much pressure on both of these processes, especially any such Government Plan.
“With the June election date there is a very short window between the selection of a new Government and the need to agree a budget before the end of a year.”
Deputy Moore concluded: “If adopted, an election before Liberation Day would alleviate any potential discomfort that may arise from Members seeking re-election and remove potential distraction from campaigning, promote further political engagement by young people, and provide the future Government a longer period of drafting for crucial documents to ensure effective governance.”
Officials from the States Greffe have also clarified how electoral law will be changed in the wake of the decision last week to restore the role of Senator to the Assembly.
In a statement, it was confirmed that a draft law will be brought to the Assembly by the Privileges and Procedures Committee for debate and final approval, with the possibility that amendments could be brought at that stage.
No date for this debate has yet been given.
The statement added that, if approved, the legislation would be sent to the Privy Council for sign-off prior to returning to the Assembly to set the date on which it would come into effect.
