Bermuda Youth Connect, Future Leaders Bermuda and others want to see the vote extended to students overseas.
Youth are being denied their right to vote by election date… Absentee balloting should be included on an election platform…
Just some of the thoughts coming from various youth organisations and representatives in Bermuda.
As far back as 1998, the impact of election timing on the overseas student vote has been highlighted by politicians on both sides of the aisle… often just ahead of an election.
Gary Foster Skelton details opinions past and present, young and not-so-young, in the report above.
Read the PLP response to this issue HERE. Full statements from the youth organisations below…
Statement from Bermuda Youth Connect, Bermuda is Love and Taj-Donville Outerbridge:
We, the undersigned Charities, Youth Organizations and activists, are profoundly disappointed
that the Premier has announced the General Election for February 18th, 2025—while droves of
young Bermudians are off the island in pursuit of higher education. The Premier’s choice denies
young Bermudians their right to vote, participate in the electoral process, and have a direct
influence on Bermuda’s future.
This decision is troubling, perplexing and reminiscent of a past that current leaders have
condemned. In 1998, former Union Leader and current Deputy Speaker of the House was
justifiably and astutely “concerned that parents of overseas students, already overladen with
steep tuition and school expenses, should even have to consider the additional expense of
bringing home a child for a day or two to vote”. Tuition has nearly tripled since 1998, and
deregulation within the aviation industry has led to exorbitant flight costs—drastically increasing
the same barriers for youth to vote. Most importantly, although the Premier calls General
Elections—the Bermudian taxpayers pay for them, which can cost almost $700,000.
Bermuda is at a critical juncture, with an ageing population, declining birthrate, rising costs of
living, and an alarming number of Bermudians leaving the island for stability. Young people are
critical to improving our island. Yet, for many young people, this election would have been their
first opportunity to vote since the 2020 Snap Election. Particularly as the government has yet to
progress on its 2012 plan to “examine various options surrounding absentee ballots”—young
people abroad will be unable to vote.
Bermuda Youth Connect was founded during the last National Election in 2020 in response to
gaps across the board in youth engagement. As daughters, sons and proud Bermudians, it
saddens us to watch the slow hallowing of democratic norms that members of The Progressive
Group, like Florenz Webbe Maxwell, Reverend Dr Erskine Simmons and Izola Harvey, worked
diligently and morally to attain.
We encourage youth to register to vote in the same spirit of persistence and boldness. The
registration deadline is January 15th, 2025, and voters can update their information or register to
vote at http://elections.gov.bm. As we gear up for the next General Election, we look forward to
the events that Bermuda Youth Connect will host as we dare to invent the future we want to see.
We encourage you all to do the same.
In Hope,
Bermuda Youth Connect, Bermuda is Love and Taj-Donville Outerbridge.
PLP Spokesperson responds to Election Timing and Overseas Voters:
The Progressive Labour Party understands the concerns raised regarding the February 18 election date and its impact on young Bermudians studying overseas. While we recognise that this timing presents challenges for Bermudians who will be unable to participate, we remain committed to ensuring fair and accessible elections for all Bermudians. Out of a commitment to youth participation, we are planning a voter registration drive at Bermuda College to encourage young people to get registered or update their registration.
We recognise the frustration of students who may be unable to return home to vote. Unfortunately, Bermuda’s electoral laws currently do not allow for absentee voting. This issue has arisen in every election held since universal adult suffrage, and we believe that, given advances in technology, we can and should revise our electoral laws in the future to better reflect the realities of today.
We have worked tirelessly to engage and empower young Bermudians, both locally and overseas, through initiatives such as increased scholarships, the Youth Employment Strategy, expanded opportunities for young entrepreneurs, additional investment in youth development, and the implementation of the National Youth Policy. We encourage young voters to stay engaged and to connect with us to ensure their voices are heard in shaping Bermuda’s future.
The PLP remains focused on building a Bermuda that is fairer for everyone and welcomes ongoing dialogue to address the concerns of young voters and their families. Together, we can ensure that every Bermudian feels valued and included in our democratic process.
