Politicians narrowly voted to bring senators back to Jersey politics in 2026, following two and a half days of debate.
25 States Members voted for Deputy Elaine Millar's idea to restore the island-wide mandate, 20 voted against it, and one politician abstained.
Initially, it was not looking positive for the return of senators, as politicians voted against each of the amendments leading up to the main debate.
Several politicians had suggested alternative proposals, including swapping parish constables for senators, varying the number of senators, and delaying their reintroduction to 2030. These were all ultimately thrown out.
This was the third attempt to get the return of senators through the Assembly.
Deputy Elaine Millar
Senators were scrapped in 2021 to simplify elections.
Read: Senators scrapped as electoral reform agreed
Deputy Elaine Millar proposed nine senators take the seats of a deputy from each district.
It would re-introduce a three-tier voting system.
The Treasury Minister believes it is the 'fairest system of all'.
"Regardless of where you live in Jersey, you will be able to vote for nine senators from whoever puts themselves forward as [one].
"Because senators are elected on the island-wide mandate, their approach should be based much more on an island-wide basis than a district or parish basis."
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Deputy’s proposition with 25 votes for, 20 votes against and 1 abstention. https://t.co/EL6mkD9jcw
— States Assembly - Jersey's elected parliament (@StatesAssembly) March 20, 2025
Two previous attempts in this political term - brought by Deputies Ian Gorst and now Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham and later by Deputy Moz Scott failed. The former was lost by just a single vote.
This outcome means senators will be reinstated in time for the 2026 General Election, despite some politicians - including Privileges and Procedures, the committee which organises elections - believing it is too soon.
The legislation that will enable the return of senators will need to be brought back to the Assembly for agreement.
There are currently 49 politicians in the States Assembly; comprising 12 constables - one representing each of Jersey's parishes - and 37 deputies.
Each deputy represents around 3,000 islanders in one of the nine constituencies.
This change will mean there will be 28 deputies, 12 constables and nine senators.
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