Time to start tracking election expenses!

Prospective candidates for this year’s election to the States Assembly are reminded that they are legally required to begin recording their campaign expenditure from 7 February 2026 onwards.

All election candidates need to keep track of the money they spend on their election campaign. Election spending limits apply from 4 months before election day – also known as the ‘regulated election period’. This means that in 2026, election candidates need to keep a complete record of their election spending from 7 February 2026 up to and including the day of the election, Sunday 7 June 2026.

Election spending limits set out in the Public Elections (Expenditure and Donations) (Jersey) Law 2014 ensure there is a level playing field for candidates, so that no one is disadvantaged in the election process because they have less to spend than another candidate and, conversely, that no one is advantaged by having more to spend on their campaign.

There is a base limit for expenses depending on the role the candidate wishes to stand for. This is up to £4,146 for senatorial candidates and up to £2,517 for Connétable and Deputy candidates. In addition to this base rate, candidates may spend an additional 13 pence per person on the electoral roll in the constituency they wish to represent (which for senatorial candidates will be the entire Island). Candidates will be advised of the updated figure for these additional spending limits before nominations are open in April.

All election candidates – whether they are successfully elected or not – are required to submit their expenses to the JEA. Candidates are therefore advised to keep careful track of receipts, invoices and any other records which provide proof of their expenditure during the regulated election period.

Third parties are also required to submit election expenses. A third party is an individual or can be two or more people working together who are neither acting on the express or implied wishes of an election candidate or political party but who have incurred expenses during the regulated election period which either promote or prejudice the election of a candidate. For example, if a person or group of people paid to advertise to discourage people from voting for a candidate or political party, that would be an election expense and would need to be declared to the JEA.

JEA Chair Michael Marett-Crosby said:

“It is very important that anyone considering standing for election this year understands that they are required by Law to keep a record of any election‑related spending from 7 February 2026 until our Island election day on 7 June. Campaign expenses include items such as posters and leaflets, website set-up, or any other products or services which promote their candidacy. All of our candidates for election must record their expenditure carefully from that date and include it in their post‑election submission to the JEA.”

The JEA will conduct an audit of expenditure after the election to ensure transparency, compliance, and adherence to spending limits.

Anyone with questions about the upcoming election can contact the JEA at admin@jea.je.