As Guernsey prepares for the polls on 18 June, we face a paradox. The challenges we confront as an island - economic stagnation, a large fiscal deficit, an ageing population, housing affordability and availability, government reform, skills shortages, high cost of living, and infrastructure investment - are mounting in urgency and complexity. Yet engagement with the political process is declining, both from voters and potential candidates.
Only 27,316 people have registered to vote, a sharp fall from 31,301 in 2020 and the lowest number since 2000. Candidate numbers have also dropped significantly, from 119 to 82, suggesting growing public disengagement with political life. This is not just a democratic concern; it is a practical one. We need capable, motivated, and accountable Deputies to tackle the difficult decisions ahead.
So, what can we do?
If you are registered to vote, please use your vote – and use it fully.
You have 38 votes because 38 people will be elected. That will happen whether you vote for five candidates, 15 or 38. But by voting for fewer than 38, you amplify the voices of others and narrow the base of democratic legitimacy. It may feel principled only to support a small number of candidates you fully endorse. However, elections are not only about ideals but also about outcomes. And the result will be a new Assembly of 38 deputies, with the power to shape Guernsey's direction for the next four years and beyond.
Why You Should Use All 38 Votes – Even If You're Not Enthusiastic
You don't have to agree with every position a candidate holds to consider them worthy of your vote. In elections, as in leadership, it's about assembling a team with a range of strengths – people who can contribute constructively, even if they're not perfect.
Even if some choices feel like the "least bad" option, that is still a rational and defensible act of citizenship. Not using all 38 of your votes doesn't ensure a stronger Assembly; it simply reduces your influence over who is elected and may leave the final outcome less reflective of your priorities.
The mathematics are simple: someone will fill each of the 38 seats. If you don't help shape who they are, others will.
What Kind of Assembly Do We Want?
The next States must make bold decisions on tax, spending, housing, connectivity, education, infrastructure, public sector reform and economic growth. This imperative requires deputies who are not just passionate. The recent Business Insight Report from the G8 identified five core behaviours and characteristics that serve as a good guide:
- Efficient decision making
- Integrity and Accountability
- Forward thinking & visionary
- Technology-enabled & Innovative
- Proactive & Proud Advocates
The business community understands these qualities well. They are not always reflected in politics, but can be if we vote thoughtfully and fully.
Closing Thought
We often hear that you can't complain if you didn't vote. However, this principle carries even more weight in Guernsey, where you can vote for up to 38 candidates.
If you vote for fewer than 38 candidates, you're effectively allowing others to decide who fills the remaining seats. All 38 deputies will be elected regardless; your unused votes won't make the Assembly smaller or more principled; they reduce your influence over the outcome.
In this system, every additional vote is a lever you can pull to shape the States. Even if some candidates don't perfectly reflect your views, it is better to vote for your most acceptable options than let others decide for you. In short: you have 38 votes because Guernsey needs 38 deputies – please use them all.