States outreach team aiming to get you registered to vote
An outreach team from the States is hitting the streets to encourage islanders to sign up on the electoral roll for this summer’s general election.
Team members Holly Ferbrache and Simon Charlwood were at Le Friquet Garden Centre on Friday afternoon helping people sign up online.
The process can be completed in a matter of minutes via an electronic device provided by the duo, or by participants scanning a QR code with their own devices. People could also pick up a household registration form to complete by hand.
Mr Charlwood said quite a few people had approached him and Mrs Ferbrache over the course of their stint at Le Friquet.
‘We’ve helped people sign up, but even if they didn’t want to sign up there and then, we’ve at least been able to tell them what to do for when they get a moment to do it.’
He said that, out of the island’s 43,000 eligible voters, so far about 17,000 were registered.
Other conversations have revolved around potential voters’ apathy towards participating in the election, and Mrs Ferbrache said she was hopeful that, by demonstrating the ease with which people could register to vote, it might change some minds.
‘We’ve had people say they’re simply not interested. But it’s our job to try to convince them to get round to doing it.’
The duo are set to increase their outreach as the election draws nearer, making appearances at various locations around the island including outside supermarkets, at Beau Sejour and at public events.
‘We are hear to answer questions, if people aren’t sure of how to register or just don’t think they’ll have the time we are there to help,’ Mr Charlwood said.
Registration closes on 30 April.
