Research, public consultation and bipartisan input will shape a policy framework with timelines before any legislation is drafted, and completion is targeted for September 2026
Full press release from the Government of Bermuda:
The Government welcomes public interest in electoral reform. This is an issue that belongs to the whole country and deserves thoughtful discussion, not rushed conclusions.
From the outset, the Government has been clear about its approach. Electoral reform must be grounded in research, consultation, and careful policy development before legislation is drafted. That position was stated during the Budget Debate in May and has guided the work ever since. Consultation is not a delay tactic, nor is it a “rubber stamp”, it is how durable and effective reform is achieved.
The town halls were deliberately designed as part of a structured consultation phase. They were intended to listen, test ideas, and surface practical considerations across the full electoral system, not to present a finished policy before the public had been heard. This process has included public meetings, engagement with overseas students, ongoing work with the Parliamentary Registrar, and discussions with civil society and political stakeholders.
It is important to recognise that consultation is meant to shape policy. The Electoral Reform Policy Framework will be published once this phase is complete, and it will include clear timelines and next steps before any legislation is brought forward.
Regarding the final town hall, Minister Rabain was unavoidably delayed by an unusually long-running Cabinet meeting. However, it must be recognised that he attended all 7 of the previous sessions and remains fully engaged in this work. The final session followed the same presentation, format, and opportunity for feedback, all of which have been captured and will inform the policy framework.
The Government remains on track to complete this reform programme by September 2026. That timeline reflects both the scale and importance of the work and the need to get it right.
Finally, the Government’s position on bipartisan collaboration has not changed. As outlined in correspondence to the Leader of the Opposition on 8 December 2025, this process was always intended to include space for the Opposition’s views before legislation is drafted. That offer remains open, because strengthening Bermuda’s democracy requires cooperation.
Electoral reform is a significant national undertaking. The Government will continue this work in a transparent and consultative manner, focused on delivering reforms that strengthen fairness, accessibility, and public confidence in Bermuda’s democratic system.
