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Essential Guide to Standing for Election

It’s time to prepare to stand for election in 2026

The next island-wide elections to the States Assembly are due to be held on Sunday 7 June 2026, when all 49 States Members will be elected.

Anyone thinking about standing for election in 2026 should make the most of the time available to start work on figuring out a campaign plan, gather support and sign up to the Vote.je newsletter for guidance and resources for prospective candidates.

What is the States Assembly?

The States Assembly is Jersey’s elected parliament. It works on behalf of the people of the Island and is made up of 49 elected States Members who are responsible for:

  • Appointing Ministers to the Government of Jersey
  • Making and approving new laws for Jersey
  • Debating new policies and matters of public interest
  • Approving the amount of tax to be raised
  • Agreeing how public money should be spent by the Government of Jersey
  • Holding the Government to account through Scrutiny

Every 4 years there is an election where Jersey residents can put themselves forward to become – or be re-elected – as a States Member.

Why Stand for Election in Jersey?

Are you inspired to work on behalf of your Island and all of those who live in Jersey, including future generations? Being elected as a States Member is a reward and a challenge like no other because you can create positive change, improve the lives of Islanders, and represent all sections of our society.

What you do and say, and how you vote in the States Assembly can have a direct impact on the new laws and regulations that govern all of us. You can highlight issues that you and those you represent feel are not receiving the attention they deserve. You will play a part in ensuring our society and economy are fit for purpose today and into the future. You will also be representing those in the Parish or constituency that you are standing in.

Changes due in 2026

Following a decision made by the States Assembly on 20 March 2025, the island-wide role of Senator is due to return. Changes to the law are needed for this to come into effect. If the changes are approved in time for the 2026 elections, Islanders will be able to stand for election as Constable, Deputy or Senator. Read more about this on our news page.

Elections in Jersey

Jersey has general elections to the States Assembly every 4 years. By-elections are held to fill any casual vacancies as they arise, for example, if a States Member decided to stand down part way through a political term.

Eligible individuals can stand for election as independent candidates or as a member of a registered political party. There are different types of elected States Member – you can read more about this below.

At election time, voters have as many votes as there are seats to be filled in their Parish or Constituency. Votes can be made by eligible voters by post (whether on or off-island), before election day at ‘pre-poll’, or on election day itself at a polling station. Votes are counted and announced after the polls have closed and the candidates with the highest number of votes win.

Successful election candidates are formally ‘sworn-in’ at the Royal Court and officially become States Members for the next four year political term.

How to become an election candidate

There are six key steps to becoming an official election candidate in an election to the States Assembly:

  1. Decide what elected role you wish to stand for
  2. Check your eligibility
  3. Fill in a nomination form
  4. Find 10 people who will support your candidacy
  5. Submit your nomination form within the deadline
  6. Your nomination is checked and – if approved – you are announced as an election candidate.

Eligibility to stand for election

An essential step to becoming an election candidate is to check your eligibility to stand for the role you’d like. Anyone who wants to stand for election to the States Assembly must:

  1. Be a British citizen;
  2. Be at least 18 years old; and
  3. Have been resident in Jersey for either: (a) At least two years up to and including the day of the election (i.e. 7 June 2026); or (b) six months up to and including the day of the election as well as a total period of five years previously.
Additional criteria for Connétable (Constable) candidates:

Anyone intending to stand for election as Connétable needs to meet the above criteria and live in the Parish they wish to represent.

Connétables, Deputies and Senators: an overview

The States Assembly has different types of elected Member. For first-time voters and anyone not yet familiar with Jersey’s political system, it’s worth reading on to understand what this actually means.

Currently, there are two types of States Member: Connétables (also known in English as ‘Constables’) and Deputies. It is expected that in 2026, voters will be able to elect three types of States Member – provided that law changes are made in time for the elections. The role of Senator is due to be made available in addition to Connétables and Deputies. This page will be updated following any official changes.

Connétables:

Connétables are elected to be the head of a Parish. Anyone elected as a Connétable also becomes an elected Member of the States Assembly (sometimes referred to as ‘ex-officio’). Connétables are voted for by residents of the Parish. There is one Connétable per Parish, which means there are 12 in the Assembly. There will be no change to this for 2026.

On a day-to-day basis, Connétables can expect to divide their time between Parish work and States Assembly work. Connétables’ work can include activities and responsibilities such as:

  • Parish Assemblies
  • working with Parish officials to run the Parish
  • dealing with queries from parishioners
  • meetings of the Comité des Connétables

As an elected Member of the States Assembly, a Connétable’s duties will also include:

  • attendance of all States Meetings
  • contributing to States Meetings as they see fit – for example, asking questions and making speeches in debates
  • voting on the outcome of debates
  • the ability to lodge propositions (proposals for change) for debate in a States Meeting.

If a Connétable has taken on any additional roles in the Assembly, for example, as a Minister, or on a Scrutiny Panel or Committee, their responsibilities may also include:

  • a regular programme of Scrutiny Public Hearings and panel meetings
  • attendance of meetings of the Council of Ministers
  • legal responsibilities relating to laws within their ministerial remit
  • Answering Written Questions, Oral Questions, Questions Without Notice, or in Scrutiny Public Hearings on matters within their ministerial remit.

Deputies:

Deputies are elected to represent a constituency. There are nine constituencies in Jersey. These are formed based on population numbers so that each Deputy represents approximately the same number of Islanders. Some constituencies are made up of multiple Parishes; some are a single Parish. As the most-populated area of Jersey, St. Helier is split into three separate constituencies.

Candidates for Deputy must convince the people in their constituency to vote for them at election time. There are currently 37 Deputies in the Assembly. Once law changes are made, in 2026 there is intended to be 28 Deputies in the Assembly.

Deputies’ duties and responsibilities can include:

  • attendance of all States Meetings
  • contributing to meetings as they see fit (e.g. making speeches, asking questions)
  • voting on the outcome of debates
  • the ability to lodge propositions (proposals for change) for debate in States Meetings
  • Responding to queries from constituents
  • Meeting Islanders to discuss matters of interest or concern

If a Deputy has taken on any additional roles in the Assembly, for example, as a Minister, on a Scrutiny Panel or Committee, their responsibilities may also include:

  • a regular programme of Scrutiny Public Hearings and panel meetings
  • attendance of meetings of the Council of Ministers
  • legal responsibilities relating to laws within their ministerial remit
  • Answering Written Questions, Oral Questions, Questions Without Notice, or in Scrutiny Public Hearings on matters within their ministerial remit.

Senators

Senators are elected to represent the entire Island. From the point of view of someone wishing to stand for election as a Senator, this means having to run an election campaign which seeks support from all Jersey voters. There are currently no Senators in the States Assembly but law changes are due to make 9 senatorial roles available to be filled at the 2026 election. This page will be updated to confirm when the update to the law has been approved and is in effect.

Senators’ duties include:

  • attendance of all States Meetings
  • contributing to States Meetings as they see fit
  • voting on the outcome of debates
  • the ability to lodge propositions (proposals for change) for debate in States Meetings
  • Responding to queries from constituents
  • Meeting Islanders to discuss matters of interest or concern.

If a Senator has taken on any additional roles in the Assembly, for example as a Minister, or on a Scrutiny Panel or Committee, their responsibilities may also include:

  • a regular programme of Scrutiny Public Hearings and panel meetings
  • attendance of meetings of the Council of Ministers
  • legal responsibilities relating to laws within their ministerial remit
  • Answering Written Questions, Oral Questions, Questions Without Notice, or in Scrutiny Public Hearings on matters within their ministerial remit.

How to decide which role to go for?

If you want to stand for election to become a States Member you need to decide which role you want to aim for. It’s completely your decision. Remember you can only submit one nomination form. As explained above, the powers and responsibilities of each role are identical in many aspects, for example: all types of elected Member have the right to bring proposals for debate to the States Assembly, and all have the power to vote on those proposals. All elected Members are eligible to be appointed as Chief Minister. The key differences are in terms of who you represent and the quantity of people you’ll have to convince to vote for you. For Connétables, a notable difference is that you are head of a Parish and a States Member. For Deputies and Senators the key difference is whether you want to have an island-wide mandate representing everyone, or if you want to keep your representation localised to one constituency.

Nomination form and process

Islanders who intend to stand for election must complete a written nomination form. The nomination form is a document which provides details such as:

  • The individual’s personal information
  • Confirmation of the role they intend to stand for
  • The constituency or Parish they wish to represent
  • Whether they intend to stand as a member of a political party or as an independent candidate
  • A list of ten people – one proposer and nine seconders – who publicly support the individual’s candidacy and are eligible to vote for them
  • Personal details of those supporters, including their electoral roll number

The rules for the nominations process are set out in Part 4A of the Elections (Jersey) Law 2022.

An example nomination form will be made available here to potential candidates closer to the election.

FAQs for prospective election candidates

Am I eligible to stand for election in Jersey?
Candidates for Deputy must be:

At least 18 years old and are a British citizen who has been resident in Jersey: (a) for at least two years up to and including the day of the election, or (b) for six months up to and including the day of the election, as well as a total period of five years previously.

Candidates for Constable must be:

At least 18 years old and are a British citizen who has been resident in Jersey: (a) for at least two years up to and including the day of the election, or (b) for six months up to and including the day of the election, as well as a total period of five years previously. Constable candidates also need to live in the Parish they wish to represent.

Applying for British Citizenship:

You must be a British citizen to be able to stand for election to the States Assembly. If you plan to stand for election in 2026 and you do not currently have British citizenship, you will need to follow the application process explained on the Government of Jersey website: Applying to become a British citizen.

It is important to note that it can take up to 12 months for citizenship applications to be processed, so it is advisable to start your application as soon as possible if you want to be eligible to stand for election in time for 2026.

Do I have what it takes to be an elected member?

A democracy like Jersey needs politicians from all walks of life – an Assembly that is representative of the full breadth of the Island’s population. The public wants to see people who are like them and understand their challenges and aspirations.

Think about how your life experiences and your perspective could represent people who may not have previously had a voice.  The States Assembly and Scrutiny benefits from a range of views – including yours. Just because you don’t feel there’s anyone in the Assembly right now who looks or seems to be like you, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t stand for election.

As an elected representative, there is a lot more to the role than just turning up to States debates. Read our guide on What a States Member Does.

Is being an elected member right for me and my family?

There is currently a diverse range of States Members, from women with young families to small business owners, individuals with caring responsibilities, and retired professionals. The role can be flexible, with States Meetings and Scrutiny business planned well in advance making it possible to balance your existing commitments with the work of the States.

You will receive a salary, and while you can maintain outside interests, it’s important that these are declared so there’s no conflict of interest. More information on this will be provided closer to the election.

Pay and Benefits

The remuneration and benefits offered to States Members were reviewed in 2023 by an independent reviewer. They determined that the role was full-time and difficult to combine with other significant professional commitments. These were the findings:

  • All States Members should receive a salary of £53,875, regardless of role
  • The employer contribution towards a States Member’s pension should be aligned with other public servants at 16%
  • A loss of office payment should be made for those who have served and stand for election again, but are unsuccessful, similar to a notice period. From 2026, existing States Members who do not get re-elected will receive a month’s salary per year of service, up to maximum of four years, on top of their final month’s pay after the elections.

Other job?

If you are working as an employee of the States of Jersey, you will need to leave that job once you have confirmed your candidacy. The nature of the role also means that you would be unable to manage a full-time role elsewhere while also being a Deputy or Constable.

Public figure

Election candidates and elected States Members are public figures and it is important to recognise the potential challenges that come with this. If elected, there is support and training from the States Greffe to help you carry out your role effectively while in the public eye.

Is there support for me if I stand for election?

The States Greffe provides a package of free training for potential candidates. You can watch all the videos we produce via our Youtube channel.

If successful, how long will my term as a States Member be?

States Members term of office is for four years. When a new election is called Members can stand for re-election. There is no limit to the number of times you can stand for re-election in Jersey

If I formally submit my intention to stand for election, what information will be released to the public about me?

If you choose to stand for election then your name and photo will be made public. You will be invited to provide a summary to Vote.je outlining your views on Island issues so that the public know what you believe in. This will be available on Vote.je and in printed materials which will be sent to all Island households.

I’ve stood for election before. Is there a limit to how many times I can stand for election?

There is no limit to the number of times you can stand for election, whether you have been successfully elected or not.

I’m interested in finding out more but don’t want to give my name yet. Is that possible?

To find out more, and receive updates and information, register your interest on our form at the bottom of this page. We appreciate you may wish to remain anonymous at this stage so you do not need to give your name. Your email address will be held securely by the States Greffe and used only for the purpose of sharing information about standing for election.

Do I need any specific qualifications or experience to stand for election?

You do not need any qualifications or experience to stand for election. You simply need to meet the eligibility requirements, and be willing to do the job.

As a prospective election candidates should I stand as an independent or join a party?

In advance of the next election, it is important to start thinking about your political priorities and why you want to stand, so that you can articulate this to prospective voters. Are you going to stand as an independent candidate, or do you feel your views align with others?

Independent candidates

You can stand for election to the States Assembly as an independent candidate with no connection to a political party. Previous election candidates say that standing as an independent gives them the flexibility to act on their own political views without having to be tied to a group manifesto.

Party candidates

Members of political parties often talk about the benefits of being part of a supportive group of liked-minded individuals. They value being able to campaign and work with others on the basis of the same manifesto or political goals. If party politics appeals to you, there are two options: join an existing party or start a new one.

If you are interested in joining one of the existing political parties, get in touch with them now:

Reform Jersey

Advance Jersey (formerly Jersey Liberal Conservatives)

 

If you want to start your own political party, here’s a guide on how to get started.

What if I get elected and decide to start a family during my term of office?

You will be entitled to be absent from the States because of ‘parental responsibilities’ and can return to your States duties afterwards.

What if English isn’t my first language?

If you meet the above requirements to be able to stand for election, you can stand. The States Greffe offers support throughout the election period to all candidates.

What happens if I get elected but develop a serious illness?

You will be entitled to sick leave.

I have a criminal record; can I still stand for election?

If you stand for election you will need to complete a declaration of convictions.

What if I change my mind and no longer want to stand?

You can step down from the election at any point. If you step down after the prepoll and postal voting has opened your name may still be on the ballot paper, but votes cast for you will not be counted.

Who do I contact to ask questions about standing for election?

Further questions about standing for election can be sent to Greffier Lisa Hart (L.Hart@gov.je).

You can start preparing now by:

Watching States meetings online, or in-person in the public gallery.

Keeping up with the news to understand the issues that current Members are dealing with.

Reading the Propositions and familiarising yourself with the work of Scrutiny.

Taking a look at what the current Members are doing and saying by following them on social media.

Get in touch with a Member who you admire to ask them for their advice in standing.

Viewing a virtual tour or go on a public tour of the States building to familiarise yourself with the historic Chamber.

As the 2026 election approaches, Vote.je will provide further information about what is involved in campaigning and how you can be nominated as a candidate.

Register for updates if you're planning to stand for election

As we get closer to the election in 2026, we will provide further information about what is involved in campaigning and how you can be nominated as a candidate. Sign up to our newsletter to be sure that you receive updates. Your name and email address will be held securely by the States Greffe and used only for the purpose of sharing election updates.

Register for updates