Voter numbers grow as deadline approaches
(CNS): The latest list of electors, which was published on 1 January, shows that over 1,000 more people have registered to vote since the list used for the 2017 General Election. But there are now less than two weeks left for any unregistered qualified people to be added to the electoral roll that will be used for this year’s General Election. Wednesday 20 January, is the deadline to register for that official list, which will be published on 1 April.
The official list of electors has grown steadily over the last two years, fuelled by a combination of voter drives and the successful campaign for a referendum on the cruise project. While that vote remains in limbo, the general election set for 26 May attracted another 338 people to the roll over the last quarter.
The new lists now stands at 22,241 electors, which is 1,014 more than the 21,227 voters on the list in 2017 and an increase since the October list of 338 after the new voters were added and those who have died have been removed.
Only three constituents did not see an increase in the number of voters. Cayman Brac West & Little Cayman (CBWLC) and George Town South remained the same at 576 and 1,263 respectively, while George Town West fell by two voters, the only electoral district to see a decline.
The big changes were in North Side and Bodden Town East, which both grew by 40 voters. BTE remains the largest constituency, having 1,573 voters, more than three times the size of the smallest, Cayman Brac East, which grew the least with just one vote to 465.
West Bay South, the largest constituency in West Bay, increased by 33 votes while Prospect and George Town North also saw significant gains, with 27 new voters each.
Hoping to see further growth in the next electoral roll, which will be the all important final list for election day, the Elections Office is having a final push and officials said the process has been made even easier for individuals to register.
“Our aim, as always, is to make registration as easy as possible for those wishing to vote while maintaining the highest levels of accuracy and confidence in the process,” said Supervisor of Elections Wesley Howell. “Office staff are very happy to walk individuals through the simple process of registering to vote at any of our convenient locations. I wish to thank the clubs, groups and civic minded individuals that are engaging in voter registration drives on their own as well.”
Eligible unregistered voters can contact their registering officer, visit the Elections Office website, call 949-8047 or visit the Elections Office at Bay Town Office Suites, George Town. To facilitate the likely demand over the remaining days, the Elections Office has extended their opening hours and will be open until 2pm on Saturdays and until 7pm every evening during the week. They will also be holding registration drives at supermarkets.
To facilitate a smooth and easy process and avoid additional follow-up appointments, members of the public looking to register at supermarket locations should bring all the required identification documents with them when registering.
Caymanian status holders need to bring their birth certificate, their Caymanian Status Certificate /Letter and photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s licence. Caymanians born here or those with Caymanian parents or grandparents need to bring their own or their family members’ birth certificates as well as photo ID. Caymanians with immigration acknowledgment need to bring that letter as well as their birth certificates and photo ID.
Supermarket schedule:
Foster’s – Countryside
- Saturday, 9 January – 10am to 4pm
- Thursday, 14 January – 3pm to 8pm
- Saturday, 16 January – 10am to 4pm
Foster’s – Camana Bay
- Saturday, 9 January – 11am to 3pm
- Thursday, 14 January – 4:30pm to 7:30pm
- Saturday, 16 January – 11am to 3pm
Foster’s – Republix
- Saturday, 9 January – 10am to 4pm
- Thursday, 14 January – 4pm to 7pm
- Saturday, 16 January – 10am to 4pm
Foster’s – Airport
- Saturday, 16 January – 10am to 2pm
Hurley’s Market – Grand Harbour
- Wednesday, 13 January – 4pm to 8pm
Category: 2021 General Elections, Elections, Politics
I personally don’t think the present government will make it the next election. Be wise fellow Caymanians. Remember the Port. The untouched landfill. The high cost of living. The corruption. Do you realize that the government’s budget is built off of the hard working persons pocket. They live year to year off of the citizens of these islands. Now they are borrowing to survive.
None of the new candidates speaking out against woman beating MLA so looks like more of the same…but gonna register in case any late comers with integrity.
I’d like a microwave,toaster,and my driveway paved please. then you can have my vote.
***raises hand***
Ooh, I know this one.
I have been waiting on a house for years and been stuck renting because land and pre-built are too expensive.
Then you have my vote.
Caymanian please don’t vote for anyone that was ever involved with Drugs, beating women, pushing projects to get kick backs or any other wrong doings or even riding donkeys on full moon nonsense
11:19 pm, you are not in jail, u can leave and go back to.your perfect country. Why cone here then want to change here like where you came from, silly you.
The PPM has already won the election in a massive landslide. Actually gaining seats in east end north side savanna newlands and West Bay. Where Do nothing Bernie suffers a humiliating defeat.
yeah 11:19 we don’t need ure kind what with ure book learnin an high falootin talk bout not beaten our women folk…be gone with yeh now
Little Cayman does not see an increase as there are 25-30 registered voters. There are none in hospitality!
We need a thousand more candidates for election as M.P.’s so that we can with a bit of luck we can find 20 candidates for the House of Parliament that are honest, incorruptible hard working and intelligent.
4:15 Are you the Dreamer?
No thanks. No one worth my vote.
If this place ends up going to shit wouldn’t you at least like to say you tried to make this a better place?
My family and I have multiple passports, we’ll be just fine thanks.
Banana Republic Cayman terrified of actually allowing all residents to vote as their little golden goose of corruption would be voted out.
Does any country in the world allow “residents” to vote? Voting is normally a right that is exclusively for CITIZENS of a nation…as it should be!
7.30pm After5 years residence in the UK and many EU countries you can apply for citizenship. In Cayman you cannot get status unless you have a corrupt connection.
Anon. You should be shame of yourself. There is zero evidence to substantiate what you said. If you have evidence take it to the ACC.
You may need help.
First, you’d have to be a Nation. You’re move.
*Your
America, U.K.
Its posts like this that really create a divide between Caymanians and Expats, you have no right to call it a Banana Republic.
You cannot just turn up to a country and vote even if you are resident, and every country has their own path to citizenship/right to vote, and in Cayman that path is 15 years. Are you going to hold out the great USA as an example of how the process is meant to work or maybe the UK which cannot even work out how to run a lockdown properly?
Since the vast majority of people pass in and out of this country well under the 15 year timeframe, why would we want to have policies that target their vote? I am interested in policies that are going to make a difference for Cayman for the long term. I did my time here and now I am in a position to vote and i feel privileged to be in that position and take it seriously.
Residents of the US and U.K. can vote in national and local elections. What on earth are you talking about?
You don’t have to be a citizen
9:45 pm, you dont know what u talking about in the USA, YOU CANNOT VOTE JUST BEING A RESIDENT, YOU HAVE To BE A CITIZEN, I know about that
Every person living here should have a say.
Didn’t the MP’s just decide to give themselves a pay rise last week? Almost every public sector job is given to friends and family.
Banana republic : The ruling class controls the primary sector of the economy by way of the exploitation of labor;[3] thus, the term banana republic is a pejorative descriptor for a servile Oligarchy that abets and supports, for kickbacks,
They’re quick to add voters but people still on voter list that have been living abroad for many years!
And a number who are not even Caymanian.
If I have status, I am Caymanian. Simple.
There are many people here whose culture is Caymanian. These people are descended from the early settlers and have a history going back hundreds of years.
You will never be Caymanian by culture or birthright and that is exactly why real Caymanians have coined the phrase, “paper Caymanian”.
If your only claim to a rich history and culture is on paper, I would say you are deluded.
You are a paper Caymanian as I am. I do not feel the need to be something I am not, nor should you.
Why aren’t the constituencies arranged so that they have similar numbers of voters. This is so undemocratic that it makes a mockery out of the whole election. The fact that one MP can be elected on the basis of several hundred less votes than one in another district is frankly nonsense.
Because JOJO and Moses couldn’t both get in for another swamp feed
Should be one vote island wide and top 10 with higest votes get in. We dont need 19 MPs for 60-70k people. Ridiculous
We need a National vote. There. An still be district representatives, but everyone deserves a say on everyone. Then the government will truly represent the people, and be accountable to the people.
What about everyone who cannot get status because of delays in processing their applications?
Take the handouts from crooked politicians, and then vote for someone else!
This election cycle going be interesting