The Voters’ List is a fundamental component of any voting system. Its primary purpose is to confirm the eligibility of electors to participate in local elections. The voters’ list is printed every six months on May 31 and November 30 of each year.

The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) provides a simple and easy way for voters to check if they are on the list through a simple online query. Electors wishing to confirm whether they are on the voters’ list can do so by logging on to www.ecj.com.jm, then selecting Query Voters’ List from the homepage and entering their name and date of birth. Electors will then be able to view the constituency in which they are registered along with their polling division number. The address, and any other personal information pertaining to the elector, is not available via the application.

The change in the information displayed is as a result of concerns raised in the print and social media regarding the privacy of electors. The primary concern is that persons who know the name and date of birth of any elector would be able to ascertain their home address via the internet search. The updated application still makes important information available while maintaining the privacy of the elector.

The query application is designed to allow electors to conveniently:

Confirm that they are on the voters’ list

Access information on where to vote during an election

REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLISHING VOTERS’ LIST

The law requires that the voters’ list be published with specific information about the elector, including his or her home address. The list is a public document and may be found in post offices, at the offices of the Returning Officer and the Director of Elections. While the law clearly defines how the printed version of the list is treated, there is no specific requirement for publishing the address of the elector on the internet.

Taking all factors into consideration, the ECJ took the decision to remove addresses of voters from the website, effective October 2015.

BENEFITS OF THE LOOK-UP FEATURE

Ease and Convenience – It is considerably simple to use the Voters’ List Query and in the Digital Age, persons value having information at their fingertips.

Mobile Friendly – The query feature is also smartphone friendly, allowing individuals to utilize the application from the browser/s on their phones and tablet devices.

The Voters’ List Query is a valuable tool for electors. The ECJ will continue to make improvements to the website to engage current and potential voters and provide important information to the public.

For further information, persons may visit an Electoral Office of Jamaica Constituency office or call 1888-991-VOTE (8683).