A report from the Referendum Commission on the use of referendums in Jersey has been published.
In January 2019, the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) asked the Commission to produce a report outlining the Commission's conclusions and recommendations on the holding of referendums in the Island. The Commission has therefore produced a report which it intends can be used as a 'code of good practice' to give States members and Islanders an understanding of the issues involved in deciding whether (and how) to hold referendums.
The Referendum Commission is an independent body which is appointed by the States Assembly. It was first established in December 2017. Under the Referendum (Jersey) Law 2017, the Commission has two principal functions: to advise on the wording of referendum questions and to appoint the lead campaign groups for any referendum held. The Commission undertook work in 2018 following the Assembly's decision to hold a referendum on the Bailiff's role as President of the States (although the referendum ultimately did not take place), which has informed its report.