OBA Table ‘Absentee Voting Act 2025′
[Updated] “Today in the House of Assembly the One Bermuda Alliance tabled the Absentee Voting Act 2025, which gives Bermudians the right of absentee voting,” Opposition MP Dwayne Robinson said.
Mr. Robinson said, “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.”
While the bill has been tabled, in order for it to become the law it would need to be voted on and approved in both the House of Assembly and the Senate.
Update 6.53pm: A Government spokesperson said, “The Government remains fully committed to delivering comprehensive electoral reform, including the introduction of absentee voting, as promised to the people of Bermuda.
“Any reform of this importance must be shaped by the people’s voices and guided by a thorough public consultation process, as outlined in the Throne Speech, which set the stage “for the commencement of a fulsome consultative process.”
“Electoral reform is a cornerstone of our democracy’s evolution, and it will not be approached lightly or behind closed doors.
“In contrast, the Opposition’s recent decision to table an “Absentee Voting Act 2025” without prior public consultation or a clear implementation plan is disappointing. Such a unilateral move, introduced with scant detail and no stakeholder input, risks imposing changes on Bermudians rather than working with them.
“Something as critical as modernising our voting system should never be reduced to partisan point-scoring or rushed legislation. Electoral reform is simply too significant to be treated as a political football.
“As the ministry responsible for electoral reform, we will continue moving forward with a transparent, adequately funded, and well-planned process to implement absentee voting by the next General Election.
“Preparatory work is already underway, with targeted research and data collection efforts commencing this year to support the drafting of legislation. The aim is to have the necessary framework in place by September 2026. In the coming months, we will assemble consultative committees to ensure Bermudians’ input is at the heart of this initiative. The Government remains committed to an electoral reform process built with Bermudians and for Bermudians, one that strengthens our democracy and maintains public trust.”
Update Sept 27, 9.05am: A PLP spokesperson said, “The Progressive Labour Party pledged in our 2025 Platform to deliver electoral reform, including the introduction of absentee voting. This reform must be shaped with the voices of the people at its centre.
“The OBA’s decision to table an absentee voting bill without consultation, without details, and without a plan is yet another example of telling Bermudians what to do instead of working with them. Electoral reform is too important to be reduced to partisan politics.
“The PLP is committed to moving forward with a transparent and properly funded electoral reform process that is planned and built with the input of Bermudians.”
The Absentee Voting Act 2025 follows below [PDF here]:
I predict that the Bill will be roundly defeated along party lines.
Big time. Now, what is your prediction for the rest of the hurricane season?
Lol Lol
The legislation drafted here is poorly written and is bound to cause problems if passed. Absentee voter is defined too broadly “including but not limited to ????”
And still leaves it to regulations not drafted for this to be practically achieved. Perhaps a good prompt to get the PLP working faster but ultimately political point scoring.
What is the complication?
Anyone who is a registered voter and normally resident on the island should be able to vote from wherever they happen to be, anytime after the election is called.
That simple.
The theory that of absentee ballots are popular now days in many jurisdictions. A citizen of a country should be able to vote, whether the Kiev in that country or not full or part time or never. The are many reason s for not living in the place of your birth / citizenship; the cost housing, medical reasons, your profession …..
As for the absentee ballot; be aware of a lot of problems with this in other jurisdictions & countries.
The face to face system seems to most assure that the person voting has the right to vote.
Respectfully
There was no consultation with in the drafting of this legislation and there are obvious gaps and lacking of details.
It appears that the OBA only tabled this legislation to try and be first but they should know that oftentimes haste makes waste.
The PLP has said that they will bring forth legislation to make absentee voting a reality in advance of the next election. There was no need to rush this to the House as there’s no imminent election. Politicking at its worst.
Just need checks and balances to be sure the person voting
is the actual “person”
This is a problem in many countries sadly
Ah right. So the PLP will only support it if it’s a PLP idea. If someone else comes up with it, the PLP automatically hates the idea.
Identity politics at its worst.
“There was no consultation with in the drafting of this legislation”
If that is correct, all it shows is that the OBA is now treating the electorate in the same way the PLP has done for decades.
“there are obvious gaps and lacking of details”
What gaps have you identified and what “details” are lacking?
Or are you just attacking the Bill because it was tabled by the OBA?