Statement from Opposition MP Dwayne Robinson:
Today in the House of Assembly the One Bermuda Alliance tabled the Absentee Voting Act 2025, which gives Bermudians the right of absentee voting.
The lack of absentee voting is a long-known issue that prevents many Bermudians from exercising their hard-won right to vote. February’s election was a notable example, scheduled when most students studying overseas were at school. By selecting that date, the PLP Government denied numerous young Bermudians a voice in their country’s future. The irony is, these are exactly the Bermudians who we want to be more engaged.
This Opposition Bill forward by the One Bermuda Alliance ensures the right to vote for students and others who are ordinarily resident in Bermuda, but otherwise temporarily overseas. This includes those on work secondments or undergoing medical treatment.
The Government will claim it is “working on it”. But this bill from the OBA replaces empty promises with concrete action and laws guaranteeing the right for absentee voting. In effect, this bill starts the clock, so that absentee voting will be possible at Bermuda’s next election.
We recognize that there are multiple ways and technologies that can be used for absentee voting. That’s why this Bill leaves the details up to the experts at the Parliamentary Registrar, who will work with the relevant Minister on appropriate regulations.
By tabling this bill, the OBA is living up to one of its key election promises. We look forward to the Government supporting this bill, and living up to one of its own election promises.
