The Jersey Democratic Alliance has responded to the results of a Mori poll on the make-up of the States of Jersey. In their response they’ve suggested that Constables should be taken out of the States and re-placed by seven extra deputies. They are also proposing a reduction in the voting age from 18 to 16. Reducing the age of majority is a hot topic around the world and is something the Isle of Man introduced earlier this year. The JDA have also supported plans for an island wide election and have suggested that this should be held in June. Recently pollsters Mori asked people how satisfied they are with Jersey as a place to live and asked how voting could be made easier. The JDA party chairman Steve Pallett has said that reducing the voting age would stimulate interest in voting among young people. Over to you That’s the opinion of one part of the island’s political system but what about your thoughts on the issue of government reform? We know you have fairly mixed opinions on the subject of voting at 16 from comments on a previous article about the subject but what about the Constables?
On the subject of voting at 16 some of the comments have included this from Lilly “Politicians keep saying they want teenagers to get more involved with politics. “Being able to vote is a good way of this happening. I personally don't think that younger generations are taken seriously by politicians, and it's about time they did! We are the future after all.” Another point of view was put forward by Gail “I say No, it should not be lowered to age sixteen, because when do teens really pay attention on democratic and political issues? Not all, the majority of them are too distracted on other things. “If a sixteen year old was to vote, their decision would be influenced by their parents or by other around them but not of their own decision.” Do you agree with either of those points of view? Should the Constables be in the States of Jersey by default or are they a relic of a Jersey long since gone? What about the idea of a general election? Would you prefer a single election day every few years, or is the current system with 15 elections a better way of doing things? Share your thoughts on the make-up of the States of Jersey. | 
