Islanders collaborate to develop questionnaire for young voters

A newly released questionnaire, co-created by Gen-Z islanders from Jersey, aims to shed light on young voters' attitudes and behaviors. Developed in collaboration with University College London (UCL), the survey seeks to explore factors influencing voter participation among young people.

According to Vote.je, Jersey’s official election guide, the questionnaire covers topics such as voting mindset, the impact of social media, and political education.

Researcher Hazel Stutz highlighted the low turnout among young voters, noting that only 17% of 16 to 34-year-olds participated in the 2022 Jersey election, compared to 53% of those over 65.

"This project aims to understand the reasons behind low voter turnout among young islanders and propose ways to boost participation in future elections," Ms. Stutz explained. "Hearing directly from young voters is crucial to identifying barriers and potential solutions."

Jenny O'Brien, head of digital and public engagement, emphasised the significance of the study. "We're excited to support this research and look forward to its findings, which could help shape our efforts and empower Jersey's future voters."

Young islanders aged 18 to 24 who are eligible to vote are encouraged to complete the questionnaire by 10 March.