A Counting Issue for Jersey’s Next Election

The Counting Issue for Jersey’s Next Election

The forthcoming election in Jersey, scheduled for a Sunday for the first time, has sparked debate and uncertainty over when votes will be counted. Traditionally, polling and counting have taken place on weekdays, but the move to Sunday voting has raised logistical and legal questions about whether the count should begin immediately after polls close or be delayed until Monday morning. This issue has prompted concern among politicians, parish constables, and officials, with fears that a delay could disengage voters and undermine confidence in the electoral process.
The Source of the Debate

The controversy stems from a proposition lodged by the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) to amend electoral law. The proposal would allow counting to take place at venues other than polling stations. The PPC argued this was necessary to accommodate scenarios such as recounts, which might extend into Monday, when schools used as polling stations would no longer be available. The committee also cited concerns about volunteers and staff working excessively long hours on election day, increasing the risk of mistakes, and the potential costs of weekend overtime.
Political Reaction

The suggestion that counting might not begin until Monday drew sharp responses. Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham expressed surprise and alarm, warning that postponing the count would disengage voters. He emphasised the excitement and community engagement that comes from staying at the count on election night and seeing results concluded promptly. Farnham argued that delaying the process would undermine this sense of participation, which is already fragile.

Constable Deidre Mezbourian echoed this sentiment, stating that parishes were “crying out” for confirmation that counting would take place on Sunday. She stressed that parish officials wanted clarity from the autorisés—the Royal Court officials appointed to oversee polling stations and counting—about the timetable.

 
Clarification from PPC

Following the debate, PPC chair Deputy Steve Ahier sought to clarify the committee’s intentions. He explained that the proposition was not designed to shift the entire count to Monday but to provide flexibility in the event of a recount. If a recount were required, some polling stations might be unavailable because they are schools, hence the need for alternative venues. Ahier reassured that PPC was satisfied counting would begin as soon as polls closed, regardless of the day of the week.

Next Steps

To resolve the issue, staff from the Judicial Greffe are scheduled to meet with the Constables Committee. Committee chair Constable Mike Jackson emphasised the urgency of resolving the matter quickly, noting that while the Judicial Greffe had concerns, the general preference among constables was to complete the count immediately after polls close. Jackson argued that getting the count “over and done with straight away” was the best way to maintain confidence and engagement.

Broader Implications

The debate highlights tensions between logistical practicality and democratic engagement. On one hand, concerns about staff fatigue, recount logistics, and costs are legitimate. On the other, delaying the count risks alienating voters and diminishing the communal excitement of election night. The issue underscores the importance of clear communication and planning, particularly as Jersey adapts to Sunday polling for the first time. Ultimately, the decision rests with the autorisés, but political leaders and parish officials are pressing for assurances that counting will begin promptly on Sunday evening.

The Situation Today

Current guidance from the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) and the Judicial Greffe indicates that the count is still expected to begin immediately after polls close on Sunday evening, with flexibility only in the event of recounts.

Risks & Trade-offs

• Staff fatigue: Long Sunday shifts can increase error risk, which is why some jurisdictions build in relief teams.
• Venue availability: If schools or parish halls reopen Monday, recounts may need alternative venues.
• Costs: Weekend overtime is a factor, but most countries accept it as part of democratic infrastructure.

Why Guernsey adopted scanning but kept manual ballots

• Speed: Counting 30,000+ ballots manually would take much longer.
• Accuracy: Reduces human error in tallying.
• Transparency: Paper ballots remain available for verification.
• Speed: Counting 30,000+ ballots manually would take much longer.
• Accuracy: Reduces human error in tallying.
• Transparency: Paper ballots remain available for verification.

Guernsey introduced scanning technology for paper ballots in its last two elections, largely following the Canadian model.

Here’s how it works:

• Ballot papers remain paper-based so voters still mark their choice manually.
• Optical scanning machines are then used to read the ballots.
• The scanners tally votes electronically, speeding up the process compared to a purely manual hand‑count.
• Manual oversight remains essential: officials check doubtful or spoiled ballots, and the paper record is the legal proof in case of recounts.

Speed Comparison

  Manual counts (pre‑2020):Ballots were hand‑counted at parish polling stations.
  Results often took until the early hours of the next morning, sometimes stretching well past midnight.

Scanning system (2020 & 2025):
  Ballots were transported to a central venue and scanned electronically.
  Preliminary tallies were available within a few hours of polls closing.
  Most results were announced before midnight, with final confirmations by early morning.

In Conclusion

If Jersey adopted scanning like Guernsey:
Results would be faster and more consistent, especially in larger parishes.
Staff fatigue would be reduced, since machines handle the bulk of counting.
Parish ritual would change, as the communal hand‑count tradition is replaced by a centralised process.

I think it is time for a change, and Jersey to follow Guernsey's lead, and join the 21st century!