Step 1
Parish elections for Douzeniers, Constables and other parish officials happen every year on the first Wednesday of November. That was 1 November this year.
NOTE: Due to adverse weather, St Sampson, St Andrew, Forest, Castel and St Pierre du Bois delayed their election meetings to 22 November. The St Peter Port and St Martin meetings were delayed to 29 November. Vale held their meeting but voted to defer their competitive election until 15 November when they opened a full polling station for all electors. The seats in Torteval and St Saviour were uncontested so all of the nominees were elected.
The list of nominations for each parish was published in the Gazette Officielle in the back pages of the Guernsey Press on 26 October 2023 and have been updated in subsequent weeks to reflect the postponements. Click the button below to find your parish and check out which posts are up for election and who is standing for them.
NOTE: Due to adverse weather, St Sampson, St Andrew, Forest, Castel and St Pierre du Bois delayed their election meetings to 22 November. The St Peter Port and St Martin meetings were delayed to 29 November. Vale held their meeting but voted to defer their competitive election until 15 November when they opened a full polling station for all electors. The seats in Torteval and St Saviour were uncontested so all of the nominees were elected.
The list of nominations for each parish was published in the Gazette Officielle in the back pages of the Guernsey Press on 26 October 2023 and have been updated in subsequent weeks to reflect the postponements. Click the button below to find your parish and check out which posts are up for election and who is standing for them.
Step 2
Step 3
Go to your Parish Meeting - the notices in Step 1 will tell you the time and location.
Anyone can go to a parish meeting but only those on the electoral roll can vote in the elections.
If there are the same number of candidates as the number of seats, there will be speeches but an election won't be needed and the candidates will be appointed to the roles they have stood for there and then.
If there are MORE candidates than the number of seats there will EITHER be an election as part of the parish meeting (see Step 4) OR the meeting could decide to defer the election for two weeks (see Step 5).
Anyone can go to a parish meeting but only those on the electoral roll can vote in the elections.
If there are the same number of candidates as the number of seats, there will be speeches but an election won't be needed and the candidates will be appointed to the roles they have stood for there and then.
If there are MORE candidates than the number of seats there will EITHER be an election as part of the parish meeting (see Step 4) OR the meeting could decide to defer the election for two weeks (see Step 5).
Step 4
If there is an election at the parish meeting:
Either the candidates, or the people proposing them, will speak briefly about why they should be elected*.
The vote at the parish meeting is by secret ballot. You will be given a voting slip if you are on the electoral roll.
The vote will be counted and announced on the night.
*Different parishes have their own ways of running their parish meetings. If you want to know the format in advance, contact your parish clerk.
Either the candidates, or the people proposing them, will speak briefly about why they should be elected*.
The vote at the parish meeting is by secret ballot. You will be given a voting slip if you are on the electoral roll.
The vote will be counted and announced on the night.
*Different parishes have their own ways of running their parish meetings. If you want to know the format in advance, contact your parish clerk.
Step 5
If there is a 'deferred' election:
If seven or more of the electors at the Parish Meeting raise their hands in favour, the election will be deferred for two weeks. Delaying the election means that a polling station(s) are set up and anyone in the parish who is on the electoral roll can vote, not just those at the meeting.
A new notice will appear in the Gazette Officielle listing the candidates, the location of the polling station(s) and the opening hours.
Candidates can campaign for votes just like a general election.
Voting has to be in person, there's no postal voting in parish elections.
The vote will be counted after the polls have closed and announced later that evening.
If seven or more of the electors at the Parish Meeting raise their hands in favour, the election will be deferred for two weeks. Delaying the election means that a polling station(s) are set up and anyone in the parish who is on the electoral roll can vote, not just those at the meeting.
A new notice will appear in the Gazette Officielle listing the candidates, the location of the polling station(s) and the opening hours.
Candidates can campaign for votes just like a general election.
Voting has to be in person, there's no postal voting in parish elections.
The vote will be counted after the polls have closed and announced later that evening.
Step 6
Consider standing yourself next time.
If you think you might want to stand for the Douzaine yourself at some point in the future, why not dip your toe in the water now? Call your Constables Office or Douzaine Room and ask if there are any projects that need volunteers.
And let Women in Public Life know! We're keen to support women who are thinking of standing for all forms of public office.
If you think you might want to stand for the Douzaine yourself at some point in the future, why not dip your toe in the water now? Call your Constables Office or Douzaine Room and ask if there are any projects that need volunteers.
And let Women in Public Life know! We're keen to support women who are thinking of standing for all forms of public office.
Step 7
Sign up for our Women in Public Life newsletter so you can keep up to date with public office vacancies. If you are into social media, join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.
