Topic: referendum
Potential decriminalisation of ganja and introduction of a national lottery moves closer
The potential decriminalisation of small amounts of cannabis and the establishment of a national lottery moved a step closer after the government announced that...
No dock, no problem: Major rebound projected for Cayman’s cruise industry
An estimated 1.7 million cruise arrivals are projected for Cayman in 2027 suggesting the no vote on piers has not harmed the industry as badly as feared.
Lottery and cannabis options to be reviewed by Law Reform Commission
Government is to ask the Law Reform Commission to look at options for a national lottery and cannabis reform following April’s referendums
Government encouraged to prioritise ganja decriminalisation
Ganja decriminalisation should be a top priority during the first 100 days of Cayman's new government, a prominent lawyer has said.
Association for Cruise Tourism ‘deeply disappointed’ in referendum result
ACT said they respected the referendum outcome but added they were "deeply disappointed by the result, and concerned about the likely negative impact".
Election candidate rules ‘arguably unreasonable’, observers say
The restrictions on who can stand for Parliament are "significant and arguably unreasonable", a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association observer mission said on Friday.
Lawyers welcome ganja decriminalisation vote result
Firm referendum backing for decriminalisation of cannabis possession in small amounts has been welcomed by top members of the legal profession.
Cruise ship piers sunk but voters take chance on lottery, cannabis decriminalisation
Cayman has delivered a firm "no" on the construction of cruise ship berths, but backed a national lottery and decriminalisation of possession of small amounts of cannabis.
Voters to decide on cruise berthing, national lottery and cannabis decriminalisation
This year, it's an Election Day with a difference – voters won't just be ticking a box next to a candidate's name, they'll also be asked to put an X in three other boxes, indicating their position on separate referendum questions.
Both sides of cruise berthing issue fight for hearts and minds as referendum nears
With just days to go before the cruise pier referendum, proponents and opponents of the project are working to persuade undecided voters.
Support for yes vote on cannabis, but some urge caution
Campaigners for a change have long argued that the current approach of criminalising cannabis users is not working, either from a health or a law enforcement perspective.
CCMI says not enough info available on cruise referendum
The Central Caribbean Marine Institute has weighed in on the cruise berth debate ahead of the referendum vote, saying it is not possible to make an educated decision about the issue with the information currently available.
The vote that guides
On General Election and Referendum Day – Wednesday, 30 April – voters in the Cayman Islands will have the opportunity to weigh in on three national questions:
- Should the Cayman Islands develop cruise berthing infrastructure?
- Do you support the introduction of a national lottery in the Islands?
- Do you support the decriminalisation of the consumption and possession of small amounts of cannabis?
- Should the Cayman Islands develop cruise berthing infrastructure?
- Do you support the introduction of a national lottery in the Islands?
- Do you support the decriminalisation of the consumption and possession of small amounts of cannabis?
Saint Lucia’s ex-PM says bad cruise deal won’t happen in Cayman
The 'yes' campaign in the cruise referendum received a boost this week from Allen Chastanet, former prime minister of Saint Lucia.
Take our poll: Cruise berthing, lottery and ganja vote
Referendum questions on cruise berthing infrastructure, gambling and cannabis decriminalisation will be put to registered voters in Cayman's general election.
Caymanians will finally get their say on cruise berth question
Caymanians will finally vote in a referendum on the future of cruise shipping as MPs have voted in favour of the Referendum Bill.
Cruise referendum bill poised for approval in Parliament
Referendums on cruise shipping, gambling and cannabis look likely to take place on Election Day after opposition MPs indicated their support.
Premier pushes contentious bills onto parliamentary agenda
Premier Juliana O'Connor-Connolly has forced the inclusion of two controversial bills on the agenda for the Friday session of Parliament.
Boutique cruises, overnight stays should be Cayman’s focus, say campaigners
Cruise tourism can continue to flourish in the Cayman Islands without a cruise terminal, says campaign group CPR Cayman.
ACT bid to torpedo cruise ship ‘myths and misinformation’
A cruise ship tourism pressure group is to hold a special session next week in a bid to dispel what it said were "common myths and misinformation" about the industry.
Cruise pier campaign group asks MPs to back referendum
A pressure group set up to promote cruise ship piers for Cayman appealed to politicians on Friday to stick to a plan to hold a referendum on the controversial proposal.
Cruise campaigners call referendum bill ‘ill-timed and unwarranted’
A referendum on cruise berthing at the next general election is “ill-timed” and "unwarranted", a campaign group has claimed.
Bryan calls for open debate as cruise referendum bill published
Government has published a bill for a referendum on cruise berthing infrastructure, a national lottery and cannabis in a bid to get the topics on the ballot at the next general election.
Lottery and ganja to get referendum at last
A three-pronged referendum to include votes on a national lottery and the decriminalisation of small amounts of ganja is to be held, several years after it was first proposed.
Analysis: What was missing from government’s spending plan?
While the government's two year budget, unveiled Friday, has a long list of high value projects, there were some much talked about big-ticket items that didn't make the cut.
Ganja, lottery vote unlikely until 2025 elections
Cayman's long awaited vote on decriminalising small amounts of ganja and a national lottery will not take place under the PACT administration's term and could instead be added to the 2025 general elections ballot.
Elections Office kicks off voter-registration drive ahead of referendum
The Elections Office has said it will start a voter-registration drive this weekend in anticipation of government's planned vote on gambling and legalising small quantities of cannabis.
Government considering referendum on lottery, ganja
Premier Wayne Panton has said government is considering launching a referendum next year to gauge public opinion on introducing a national lottery system in the Cayman Islands and decriminalizing small quantities of marijuana.
Royal Caribbean boss ‘undecided’ on Cayman cruise pier project
Royal Caribbean has not completely abandoned plans for new cruise berthing facilities in Grand Cayman, the company’s CEO Michael Bayley said Wednesday.
Port referendum question ‘tweaked’
Government says it has "tweaked" the question it plans to use for the referendum on its proposed $200 million cruise berthing and cargo project.
Public reactions of holiday still on
With everything that’s at stake with the proposed cruise berthing and cargo port project - millions of dollars in public spending, the health of...
Elections Office pushes pause button on referendum preparations
The Elections Office has suspended its preparations for the 19 Dec. referendum following the court's decision to delay the vote on the government's cruise berthing and cargo project.
Referendum Day holiday gazetted
The 19 Dec. date was gazetted this week and will facilitate the vote on government’s $200 million cruise berthing and cargo port facility, which Premier Alden McLaughlin announced last week.
Cruise line boss claims piers could mean 2.5 million passengers
A new cruise berthing facility in Grand Cayman could see visitor numbers surge to 2.5 million per year, the president of Royal Caribbean International said this week.
Elections Office urges voters to register
If the cruise port referendum is held this year, eligible voters who have not already registered with the Elections Office will not be able to cast a ballot in the historic vote.
Cruise campaigners want referendum next year
Campaigners are calling for the people-initiated referendum on the cruise port to take place in January at the earliest.
Cruise port referendum: Campaigners deliver petition to Cabinet
The Cruise Port Referendum Cayman group delivered its port petition to the government on Wednesday.
Cabinet to begin drafting port referendum bill
Government will seek to hold the referendum on the cruise and cargo port “as quickly as possible”, Premier Alden McLaughlin has said.
Campaigners call for release of reports before referendum
With a referendum on the controversial cruise and cargo port project now looking inevitable, campaigners are calling for the release of detailed information about the project before a vote takes place.
Government spends $130,000 on cruise project ad campaign
A freedom of information report has revealed that the Cayman Islands government has spent more than $130,000 in public money in promoting the proposed cruise and cargo port project.
Letter: CPR outlines key concerns on cruise berthing facility – part 3 of 3
What will Caymanians really pay for the project? Governments have a duty to deliver value-for-money projects with public finances.
Nearly 94% of port petition signatures verified
As of Saturday afternoon, the effort to prompt a referendum into the proposed cruise ship port needed just 332 more verified signatures to move the process forward.
Letter: CPR Cayman outlines its key concerns on cruise dock, part 2 of 3
Cruise Port Referendum Cayman has submitted a three-part letter to the Cayman Compass outlining its concerns about the proposed facility. This is part 2.
Opposition criticises government’s handling of cruise port petition
Opposition members on Wednesday described the government’s efforts to allow people to “unverify” their names on a petition calling for a referendum on the proposed cruise port as “dastardly” and undemocratic.
Last 10% of port petition signatures to be verified
The Elections Office has verified 90% of the signatures needed to trigger a referendum on Cayman’s proposed cruise port.
Letter: CPR Cayman outlines its key concerns on cruise ship dock
Cruise Port Referendum Cayman has submitted a three-part letter to the Cayman Compass outlining its concerns about the proposed facility. This is part 1.
Letter: Port will add to congestion
Let’s heed the wise words of J.A. Roy Bodden re the disingenuous offer of the current Cayman Islands government ‘directorate’ to rescind signatures on referendum for [the] possible mega cruise ship dock in Hog Sty Bay.
‘High intensity’ campaign to promote cruise port plan
Government is seeking to hire a public relations firm for a new “high intensity’ campaign to promote its plan for a new cruise berthing facility in George Town harbour.
Saunders raises concerns about Constitution changes
MLA Chris Saunders says he’s concerned that some of his fellow members are making it too easy to make changes to the Cayman Islands Constitution.
Letter: Call to retract signatures ‘disingenuous’
If proof was needed that the political directorate with its warped agenda is taking the Cayman Islands from the ‘sublime to the ridiculous’, then search no more … for, alas, the evidence is here.
Governor unconcerned over claims of port petition ‘interference’
Governor Martyn Roper said he has “full confidence’ in the Elections Office despite concerns that it is allowing people to “unverify” their signatures for the petition calling for a referendum on the port.
The cruise port deal: Readers’ questions answered
The Compass featured an extensive report on the key questions and answers about the deal that were addressed by the government. We asked readers to submit any questions they felt were not answered in that story, and we endeavour to answer those questions here.
Cruise referendum verification hits three-quarter mark
The Elections Office confirmed Monday that it has verified 74.8% of signatures in a petition calling for a referendum on the proposed cruise port project.
Referendum petition passes 70% mark
Campaigners for a referendum on the cruise port are 70% of the way towards hitting the target to trigger a vote, according to the Elections Office.
More than half of Port referendum petition signatures verified
As of Friday, 55.6% of the number of signatures required to prompt a people-initiated referendum on the cruise port project had been verified, according to the Elections Office.
Governor comments on key issues
During his interview with the Cayman Compass, Governor Martyn Roper also commented on a handful of other key issues that fall under his jurisdiction.
Elections Office vets nearly 45% of petition signatures
The Elections Office has verified 44.6% of the required 5,292 signatures on a petition calling for a people-initiated referendum on the proposed cruise port dock in George Town.
Campaigners cruise towards petition target
Less than two dozen of the 1,500-plus voters reviewed by Elections Office staff have declined to verify that they signed the petition calling for a referendum on the port project.
Web ticker follows verification progress for cruise petition
The Elections Office has released a web ticker that tracks progress in verifying petition signatures for the cruise port referendum.
Elections Office verifies nearly 13% of petition names so far
Almost a week after beginning door-to-door checks, Elections Office staff have verified more than 700 signatures on the cruise port referendum petition, 12.9% of the total 5,438 names.
Port referendum petition: Door-to-door verifications begin
The Elections Office on Friday began door-to-door verification of signatures on the cruise port referendum petition, in the districts of North Side and East End.
Extended hours for Elections Office
The Cayman Islands Elections Office is extending its office hours so people can verify their signatures on the cruise port petition.
Port referendum: No shortcuts to democracy, governor says
Governor Martyn Roper has given his support to the person-by-person verification process taking place for the petition for a referendum on the cruise port.
‘Historic moment’ as cruise petition handed over
The petition calling for a people’s vote on the controversial cruise berthing project was handed over to the Elections Office Wednesday in what was described as a “historic moment” for the Cayman Islands.
Governor keeping tabs on referendum process
Governor Martyn Roper said he would work closely with the Elections Office during the process to verify the authenticity of more than 5,300 signatures on a petition calling for a referendum on the controversial cruise port project.
McLean calls for port negotiations to halt
Opposition leader Arden McLean has joined calls for the cruise port project to be put on hold until a petition calling for a referendum on the development has been verified.
Premier makes no guarantees over port referendum
Government will proceed with plans for a new cruise and cargo port in George Town harbour despite claims from campaigners that they have collected enough signatures to trigger a referendum on the project.
The issue explained: How the referendum process works
Here, we look at the key questions around the referendum process, and how they were answered.
Every signature on port petition must be verified
The Elections Office will need to individually verify every single signature on the cruise port referendum petition before a vote can take place.
Bryan calls to expand port referendum to include gambling and skyscrapers
George Town independent legislator Kenneth Bryan is urging government to poll the public on gambling, same-sex unions and skyscrapers as well as the cruise port project, if and when a referendum is called.
Port referendum: Elections chief to address meeting
Elections supervisor Wesley Howell will speak at a public meeting Thursday evening on the cruise port referendum issue amid uncertainty over if and when a public vote on the controversial issue will take place.
Cruise pier campaigners: Threshold for referendum reached
The Cruise Port Referendum Cayman campaign announced on Friday that it has received enough signatures on its petition to initiate a referendum on government’s proposed cruise pier facilities.
