As a British Overseas Territory, Cayman has a political system based on representative democracy. The Islands have a unicameral legislative assembly, and elections are held every four years to choose representatives for the 19-member Legislative Assembly.
Cayman Islands citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote, and the voting process follows typical democratic security measures and principles. Residents elect representatives to address local issues, manage public services, and make decisions on behalf of the community. It's important to note that electoral processes and regulations may evolve, so it's advisable to check for the latest information on official government platforms.
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The Elected Cayman Islands Government (2021-2025)
At the general election held on April 14th 2021, no single party secured a majority. The Progressives obtained the most seats (7), while independents secured 12 seats. Subsequently, negotiations resulted in the formation of a government led by independent members, supported by The Progressives. Wayne Panton was appointed Premier.
The swearing in ceremony for the 2021-2025 Cayman Islands Government took place Wednesday, 21st April 2021.
This marked a departure from the previous Progressives government led by Alden McLaughlin. However by late 2023 it was clear that there was dissent among the ranks of the PACT Government and Juliana O'Connor-Connolly ultimately assumed leadership, for the second time in her political career.
Outgoing Premier Wayne Panton was forced to step down amidst widespread condemnation by fellow party members in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence. A vote to oust the government in its entirety was unsuccessful.
The former deputy Premier, O'Connor-Connolly, was sworn in as Premier at the Governor's office, after a day of negotiations to establish a new United People's Movement (UPM), emerging from the remnants of the PACT coalition.
Roy McTaggart continues to act as Leader of the Opposition, with Joey Hew as Deputy Leader.
The next general election is scheduled to be held in 2025.
Elections and Voting FAQskeyboard_arrow_right
Get answers to some commonly asked questions about a Cayman Islands General Election.
Read MoreVoting Eligibility
To register to vote, the first thing you must do is check that you are eligible.
As per Section 90 (1) of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order (2009), those who are eligible to vote includes those who are:
- Caymanian;
- Over the age of 18 years old;
- Is resident in the Cayman Islands at the date of registering to vote;
- Has been a resident in Cayman for more than 2 years;
- If you are under the age of 18, but you will be 18 years old before or on the polling day, you too are eligible
Who is Not Eligible?
You cannot register to vote if:
- You are serving a prison sentence exceeding 12 months, or have received a suspended sentence;
- Are considered to be of unsound mind or mentally unstable;
- Have been disqualified from registering due to election-related offences.
To register to vote, you must first check you meet voters eligibility requirements. We outline eligibility as per Section 90 (1) of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order (2009).
Registering to Vote
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, visit The Elections Office Website and complete a ‘Form 4’. You must then submit your completed form and the required original documents, detailed below, to the Registering Officer for your district, or the Elections Office in Baytown Plaza.
Required Documents
Caymanian Status Holders:
Caymanian status holders, along with the registration form, must provide their birth certificate, certificate of Caymanian status and a copy of photo ID (either a passport or driver’s license).
Caymanian Born and Have Caymanian Parent(s) or Grandparent:
If you were born in Cayman or have immediate Caymanian family, you must provide your birth certificate, a birth certificate of your family that was born in the Islands (commonly a parent or grandparent), as well as photo ID.
If you are Caymanian with an Acknowledgement Letter from Immigration or WORC:
In this case, if you identify as Caymanian, you must provide a copy of your birth certificate, a letter from WORC or the Department of Immigration that confirms your status, and photo ID.
If you are already registered from past elections, ensure that your details are still up to date, especially if you have moved recently or your name has changed. If any personal details have changed since registering (name, occupation, location) you must complete a 'Form 13'.
For more information about registering to vote, visit www.elections.ky
Registering From Overseas
Per Section 90 (1) of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order (2009) persons are only eligible to vote in the Cayman Islands elections providing they have not been out of the country for longer than two years. After which they will be removed from the official register of electors. If you are working overseas the assumption is that you will have registered to vote prior to leaving the Island. If you are a student overseas, you can register to vote during your school holidays and before your eighteenth birthday, providing you will be 18 before the next election day.