Referendums in the Cayman Islands : turnout and voter eligibility in a small jurisdiction

Abstract

Three referendum questions were put to the electorate in the Cayman Islands alongside the general election in April 2025. These questions related to socio-economic issues that had previously been determined by the Parliament as ‘matters of national importance’. This article offers some perspectives on practical matters such as the timing of referendums, the franchise of the electorate, and the result in relation to the turnout. The impact of advisory referendums conducted alongside a general election that resulted in a change of government is then considered. Whilst the referendum questions and potential policy development were set by the cabinet of the outgoing political party, it is a new government who are now dealing with the results. Therefore, the development of policy in the present political environment ought to be guided, at least in part, by an advisory referendum when there are clear results.