UK company proposed to manage postal voting

UK firm could be brought in to run Jersey’s postal voting system

Jersey’s Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) has proposed contracting a UK-based company to manage postal voting ahead of the island’s next election.

In a report submitted to the States Assembly, the committee said the number of islanders choosing to vote by post had risen in recent years, increasing pressure on election administrators.

Currently, around 25 temporary staff are hired to help oversee the process during election periods. However, the PPC said outsourcing the postal voting system would “greatly reduce the number of temporary staff required” and deliver “a major cost saving”.

Following a review of potential UK providers, the Judicial Greffier has recommended accepting a £34,000 tender to outsource the full postal voting operation. The proposal covers printing, processing applications, and postage of ballot papers.

If approved, the move would mark the first time Jersey’s postal voting has been handled externally, as part of broader efforts to streamline election administration and reduce costs.