Multiple questions under consideration
Electors going to the polls to vote on the on the Government’s constitutional modernisation referendum may be asked to vote on multiple questions.
Cabinet Minister Alden McLaughlin has told the Caymanian Compass his Government is now giving active consideration to posing multiple questions on the referendum ballot – reversing its earlier intentions to make the referendum a straight approve or reject vote.
‘We are certainly leaning in favour of putting more than one question on the ballot because people have indicated to us that is what they want,’ he said.
While hesitant to be drawn on what issues electors would vote on, Mr. McLaughlin pointed to single member constituencies and plans to ‘rebalance executive power’ as likely topics voters could be questioned on.
‘We are looking at whether it is possible to put some of these questions that we don’t get any clear indication [from the public] on, as question on the ballot paper.’
While a date for the Cayman Island’s first-ever referendum is yet to be settled, government last week confirmed the referendum would not proceed in May, as they had originally proposed. Instead, the Government is looking at dates prior to September (See Caymanian Compass 3 April).
‘In the next two to three weeks we should come closer to determining when [the referendum will take place] and what will be on the ballot paper – whether it is a question or questions.
‘At the moment the Government is leaning in favour of more than one question based on the representation we have had.’
One question People’s Progressive Movement leaders are wrestling with is how they can give electors the chance to vote on specific issues without overwhelming them or making the ballot too confusing.
‘It’s quite an art, I’ve learned, drafting referendum questions,’ Mr. McLaughlin said.
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