A referendum on changing the electoral system was held in the

Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands () is a self-governing British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory, and the largest by population. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located so ...

on 18 July 2012.Cayman Islands, 18 July 2012: Elections in one constituency
Direct Democracy Voters were asked whether they wish to change the electoral system from one using multi-member constituencies to one with

single member constituencies A single-member district or constituency is an electoral district represented by a single officeholder. It contrasts with a multi-member district, which is represented by multiple officeholders. In some countries, such as Australia and India, ...

. Although the proposal was approved by a majority of those voting, the

quorum A quorum is the minimum number of members of a group necessary to constitute the group at a meeting. In a deliberative assembly (a body that uses parliamentary procedure, such as a legislature), a quorum is necessary to conduct the business of ...

of half of registered voters voting in favour was not met.

Background

The ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) had promised to hold a referendum on the change to the system alongside the

general elections A general election is an electoral process to choose most or all members of a governing body at the same time. They are distinct from by-elections, which fill individual seats that have become vacant between general elections. General elections ...

in 2013. However, a citizens' initiative group sought an earlier vote so that the new system would be in place for the 2013 elections. The group began collecting the 3,800 signatures required (25% of registered voters) to force a referendum, but as they were close to passing 3,000 signatures, on 11 April 2012 the UDP chose to hold the referendum on an earlier date. On 10 May the Legislative Assembly confirmed the format of the referendum. Under article 69 of the constitution, a referendum was only binding if a majority of the 15,161 registered voters vote in favour. Voting was held between 07:00 and 18:00, and referendum day was made a public holiday by the government.

Results

Aftermath

Although the Elections Office had said that the government should take a majority vote that failed to pass the quorum as advisory, Premier

McKeeva Bush William McKeeva Bush, (born 20 January 1955) is a Caymanian politician, former Speaker of the Parliament of the Cayman Islands and former Premier of the Cayman Islands. Bush, the former leader of the Cayman Democratic Party, served as the el ...

announced after the referendum that he would not do so. Cayman 27, 19 July 2012 Eventually the electoral system was changed to single member constituencies for the 2017 election.

References

2012 referendums Referendums in the Cayman Islands 2012 in the Cayman Islands Electoral reform referendums Electoral reform in the Cayman Islands {{CaymanIslands-stub