Am I registered to vote?

If you are in possession of an identification card or voted in the last general elections you are registered to vote. (See voter information).

 

Who is qualified for registration?

Anyone who is a citizen of St. Lucia, or a commonwealth citizen who has resided in St. Lucia for at least seven (7) years, is eighteen (18) years and over and has resided continuously in an electoral district for at least two months, is qualified for registration.

 

Who is not eligible for registration?

Any person who is certified insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under enactment in force in St Lucia. In addition, any person who is imprisoned or is under sentence of death in Saint Lucia or any other part of the Commonwealth Country.

 

Where do I register to vote?

If you desire to be registered as an elector, you may come to the Electoral Department, situated at #23 High Street, Castries, in the Godfrey James Building. In addition, our annual “Out” Registration program usually commences from the 15th July to September. This activity accommodates persons, by providing registration and I.D. Card services in each electoral district.

 

What documents do I require for registration?

If you have never been registered, you need a birth certificate; National Insurance Card and marriage certificate (if applicable). In addition, if you were not born in St. Lucia you must produce a Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Naturalization, both of which can be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

 

I have recently become a citizen. How do I register to vote?

To register as a citizen of the state you are required to produce your Certificate of Citizenship obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs. This document must be obtained not less than two months before either of the qualifying dates i.e. 15th February or 15th July of any calendar year.

 

I have changed my address since I obtained my I.D. Card

If you have changed your place of residence your name will still be registered at your former address, the onus is on you to get registered at your new address. If you have been residing at your new address for at least two months prior to the qualifying dates of February 15th or July 15th then you may apply for a change of address and obtain a new I.D. Card.

 

Why should I vote?

It is essential to vote because your vote is the way you choose someone to represent you in St. Lucia’s Parliament. By voting you not only express your choice, but you also exercise a democratic right that is paramount to the democratic process of government that our St. Lucian forefathers fought hard to build. It is your right to vote, you should exercise it.

 

Who is entitled to vote?

You are entitled to vote as an elector at elections in an electoral district only if on polling day you are registered in the register to be used at that election in that electoral district. In addition, you must produce a valid form of identification, for e.g. a national identification card, passport or drivers license.

 

I am already registered and presently serving a prison sentence. Can I vote?

No, currently there exists no provision for facilitating voting by prisoners.

 

How do Police Officers vote?

Police officers are registered in the electoral district where the police station with which they are attached is located. For the purpose of securing the island on elections day police officers are required to vote two days prior to elections.

 

Are employees allowed time off to vote?

Employees who are qualified to vote at an election are entitled to no less than two (2) consecutive hours on elections day to cast their ballot.

 

Can I lose pay during my absence from work?

No, employers shall not make any deductions from the pay of an employee for time off required by law, or impose any penalty during his/her absence for that period.

 

Can employers be penalized for not allowing time off?

Yes, any employer who directly or indirectly refuses, or by methods of intimidation have influenced, or in any other way interferes with the granting of time off to any elector in his establishment for the period of voting is liable to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00), or to imprisonment for six months.

 

What is my electoral district?

St. Lucia is divided into seventeen (17) electoral districts. One representative, or Member of Parliament (MP), is elected for each electoral district.

You can find the name of your electoral district by going to “where you’re registered”

 

How is the Register of Electors updated?

The register of electors of each electoral district is revised annually. For this purpose a supplementary list is published for each electoral district biannually. This supplementary list contains the names of all persons who have been registered as electors in each electoral district since the publication of the last register. It also contains the names of all electors who because of a change of address and/or change of name have applied in the prescribed form for an alteration in registration either from one electoral district to another or within an electoral district.

These supplementary lists are posted at various locations on the island for perusal by the general public. The public is allowed to make claims and objections to any names or addresses appearing or not appearing on this register within twelve (12) days of publication of the lists.

Not later than the 31st January of each subsequent year the register of electors for each electoral district is revised by adding the names of all persons whose names have been published as electors during the preceding year on a biannual supplementary list of electors. In addition, by deleting the names of all persons who have ceased to be entitled to registration as electors and finally, by making other alterations as are provided under the Elections Act.