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Election votes could be counted the next day

Votes cast in next year's general election in Jersey could be counted the following day.

Polling is on Sunday 7 June, in the hope of improving turnout at the ballot box.

The Privileges and Procedures Committee is suggesting moving the count to the next day.

PPC says it would be cheaper, because it would cut the overtime bill for parish staff involved in polling day.  It could also reduce mistakes.

"There has been some disquiet expressed that holding the elections on a Sunday will compel support staff to work outside of ordinary employment hours and result in Parishes incurring overtime costs for those having to work long hours over a weekend.

"It has been suggested that to reduce both the financial and physical impact, the counting of the ballots could be held the day after the elections on the Monday. 

"Counting on a Monday would allow those involved to go home when the polls close at 8 p.m. and to return refreshed the next day. Moreover, public sector staff could assist with the counting process, rather than relying on Parish staff working double time on a Sunday or volunteers."

Politicians will be asked to agree a small change to the law to allow the count to be held somewhere other than the polling station where the votes have been cast, such as the Town Hall for all the St Helier constituencies.

This is so that where schools are used as polling stations on the Sunday, they are not impacted should the count be the following day. 

PPC is also asking States Members to agree to outsource the postal voting application process to a UK provider, at a cost of £34,000.

Currently, 25 temporary staff are taken on to help with the running of elections, including the pre-poll process.

Postal voting likely to be more widely promoted and used in the 2026 election, which could put more of a burden on staffing.

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