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Queues as Jersey voters headed to polls for election

George ThorpeChannel Islands
BBC People queue outside a polling station in Jersey. There is a Vote.je sign by the doorway.BBC
Polls were open on Sunday as voters decided who should run Jersey's government

A long day of voting and counting has taken place in Jersey as the 2026 election was held.

As votes were tallied, they revealed some big political casualties as ministers including Sam Mézec, Rob Ward and Steve Luce all lost their seats in the States.

Helen Miles, who had been a deputy for St Brelade, topped the senator election poll ahead of Ian Gorst and current Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham as people voted islandwide, with 17 candidates vying for nine positions.

Other stories to come out of the night included St Helier getting its first female constable with Inna Gardiner's election and 18-year-old Gabriel Raimondo winning a seat as a deputy in St Brelade.

People queued up while the ballots were open between 08:00 and 20:00 BST on Sunday to have their say on the running of the island for next four years, with some bringing their dogs along to the polling stations.

After the polls closed, attention turned to the counts as candidates and supporters waited to hear who had been successful, with some watching on laptops and phones as results from across Jersey started being declared.

Following the voting, proceedings got under way to decide who will become the next chief minister and which members will take up places on the Council of Ministers.

People queue up outside a polling station as they vote in the 2026 Jersey election. It is a sunny day. Flags and bunting are up outside the building.
Long queues were reported at polling stations
Close-up of a white sign with black writing on it pointing people towards the entrance of a polling station inside the Trinity Youth Centre in Jersey.
Voters were asked to select 28 deputies, 12 constables and nine senators
A grey dog - either a whippet or greyhound - stands on tarmac outside a polling station in Jersey. The dog has a black leash on and a black and grey camouflage harness. Four people are stood behind the dog.
Dogs at polling stations were a thing in Jersey as owners popped into vote while out on walkies
Four people, including a police officer, stand around a table which has ballot papers on it for counting at the 2026 Jersey election.
Volunteers helped count up the votes during Sunday evening and into Monday morning
L-R: Dave Curtis, Malcolm Ferey, Kevin Lewis and Suzie Webb. All are looking at a laptop which Ferey is holding while they sit down on blue cushioned chairs. Lewis is holding both his hands up and has his mouth wide open.
Awaiting results: (left to right) St Saviour candidates Dave Curtis, Malcolm Ferey, Kevin Lewis and Suzie Webb keep a watchful on eye on the latest
Hilary Jeune and Peter McLinton crouch down to look at a laptop screen which is on a black chair. Jeune is pointing at the screen with her left hand.
Trinity, St Lawrence and St John deputy candidates Hilary Jeune and Peter McLinton watch Jersey election coverage on the BBC iPlayer
L-R: Lucy Stephenson, Arlene Maltman, Richard Honeycombe and Chris Rebindaine. All four are stood in a hall following an election count in Jersey. Stephenson, Maltman and Redindaine have rosettes on.
It was a good night for Lucy Stephenson, Arlene Maltman, Richard Honeycombe and Chris Rebindaine as they were all elected

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