The States of Election has only one purpose, to elect a new Jurat to the Courts in Guernsey.
The first record of a Jurat in Guernsey was in 1179, and a roll of honour listing Jurats since 1299 is in the Royal Court.
A Royal Commission of 1607 identified a body of "...the Bailiff and Jurats, with the Constables and Dozens of every parish" to elect the Jurats of the Royal Court. In the 1770s, the term States of Election was used.
A prospective candidate must be proposed and seconded.[1] Only someone receiving over 50% of votes cast at the secret ballot can be elected.
Originally, if elected, the duty was for life. In 1950, this was changed to retirement at 70, with the possibility of an extension to 75. Changed again in 2008, to retirement at 70 with an extension to 72 possible, the number of Jurats was increased from 12 to 16.[2]
Only one vacancy may be filled at any one meeting of the States of Election.
The duty is unpaid and each person voting should do so based on their conscience.
Election as a Jurat is the highest honour that Guernsey can confer on a resident of the Island.[2]
The Reform (Guernsey) Law, 1948, as amended set out the constitution of the election committee:[3]
The Reform (Guernsey) (Amendment) Law, 2003 permits changes to the number of Douzaine representatives if the population of parishes change.The Royal Court (Reform) Law 2008 made it possible for new Jurats to retire at 72 and for the number of Jurats to increase to 16. It also created the position of 'Juré-Justicier Suppléant'.