Helping the Jamaican Diaspora Think About Voting in Elections in Jamaica

Helping the Jamaican Diaspora Think about voting in Elections in Jamaica

By Leo Gilling

There is ongoing debate about the Diaspora Jamaicans’ right to vote, with discussions taking place on radio stations in both Jamaica and the Diaspora, as well as in social settings like bars and domino dens, and regularly covered in newspapers. The prospect of Diaspora members participating in general elections holds great appeal for some individuals who are passionate about this issue. Voting is crucial in the democratic process, allowing Jamaican citizens to engage in representative politics actively. Through their votes, citizens elect leaders to serve as their representatives, entrusting them with the authority to make decisions, implement policies, and advocate for their interests. 

It’s important to start by defining “citizen” in the Jamaican context. Some individuals may form assumptions about who qualifies as a Jamaican citizen and whether they possess or should possess the right to vote in Jamaican elections. In particular, individuals in the Diaspora with dual citizenship recognized by Jamaica might find the term and associated rights confusing. Others may still adhere to outdated colonial definitions and employ them in everyday conversations to misinform or mislead others. Let’s delve into this topic thoroughly. The primary focus of this article is to answer the question: do citizens in the Diaspora possess the right to vote in Jamaican political elections?

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The Government of Jamaica defines a citizen of Jamaica as a member of the state of Jamaica with guaranteed rights, privileges, duties, and responsibilities. Jamaican citizenship can be obtained through birth, marriage, or naturalization. Additionally, one may claim Jamaican citizenship through adoption or descent. “By descent” is a key concept, as it applies to individuals born outside of Jamaica to parents or grandparents who were Jamaican citizens at the time of the individual’s birth. However, it needs to be clarified whether citizenship can be acquired beyond the grandparent level, such as through great-grandparents, uncles, or aunts. 

If you are born in Jamaica and have not renounced your citizenship, you can vote, regardless of land ownership or tax payments. These requirements date back to the colonial era when the rights of black and economically disadvantaged individuals were denied. But before concluding, let’s delve a bit deeper.

Certain conditions must be met before exercising your right to register to vote in Jamaica. You must be a Jamaican citizen who is eighteen years or older and a resident of Jamaica. Alternatively, you can be a Commonwealth citizen who is eighteen years or older, a resident of Jamaica at the time of registration, and has been a resident for at least twelve months before the registration date. It’s important to note that individuals may lose their right to vote if they are legally incapacitated due to an unsound mind, conviction, or being suspended. 

Please keep in mind the following information: Residents of the Diaspora living in the United States may encounter challenges when trying to vote in local or general elections. Nonetheless, it is not impossible. Meeting the specified requirements may make voting easier, primarily if you reside in a Commonwealth country. There are no shortcuts when it comes to meeting the voting criteria. If you reside in the US, meeting the requirement of establishing a twelve-month residency in Jamaica before the registration date might be difficult, particularly if you are employed in a full-time position.

Now that we have outlined Jamaica’s citizenship and voting requirements let’s dive into Diaspora voting in elections in their home country. There has been considerable debate about whether citizens living abroad should be able to participate in the electoral process. Some have argued that it is unfair to exclude them, but this is simply inaccurate. Voting rules are in place to ensure that individuals meet the necessary criteria, as is the case in any other country. The process needs to have defined guidelines to maintain the integrity of the election and avoid any potential challenges to its legitimacy. The process needs to have defined guidelines to preserve the integrity of the election and avoid any potential challenges to its legitimacy.

As per the requirements, any Jamaican could participate in elections in Jamaica if they want to. However, to enable voting outside Jamaica, the Government would need to establish an absentee balloting system. The question is: is this a reasonable request from Jamaicans in the Diaspora? In my opinion, it seems unlikely due to the associated costs and security considerations. The development, testing, maintenance, updates, and evaluation of such a system would all require substantial investment of Jamaican taxpayer dollars, which are already allocated to numerous pressing demands and priorities. While some developed nations have the resources to implement absentee balloting, Jamaica currently enjoys a different financial capacity.

Furthermore, critical questions must be addressed before reaching a consensus among Jamaicans at home and abroad. What are the intended benefits of permitting members of the Diaspora to vote, and how would this influence the country? With a significant Diaspora population, granting them voting rights would allow them to play a role in determining Jamaica’s parliamentary representatives. Is this desirable, and what are the potential implications? As per the requirements, any Jamaican could theoretically participate in elections from abroad if the necessary infrastructure were in place. However, to enable voting outside Jamaica, the Government would need to establish an absentee balloting system. 

Many Jamaicans in the Diaspora are citizens of other countries and already have the right to vote in their country of residence. Should they vote in the elections of both countries? This issue seems to interest only a few individuals in the Diaspora. Some argue they should be allowed to vote because they support family members through remittances, own property, and pay taxes in Jamaica. However, this perspective may need to be better informed and could be influenced by colonial-era thinking. It’s important to consider the implications of such a request before pushing for it. Most Diaspora members are focused on improving their own lives and the lives of their families, as well as contributing to the progress of Jamaica. Many citizens of another country already have the right to vote in their country of residence and citizenship. 

Remember, Jamaican election requirements align with the country’s operations, empowering its residents to make decisions about their nation, leaders, and livelihoods. It’s important not to deprive them of their right to determine their future. As Jamaicans living abroad, some of us may be too quick to boast about our possessions and perceived influence. Instead, we should focus on finding ways to contribute to nation-building by giving back humbly to the country that laid the foundation for our success. Please keep the following text in mind:

This topic segues into another critical discussion: a discourse on appointing or electing Diaspora representational leaders is discussed in Jamaica but not adequately explored. The follow-up article will address this issue.

  diaspora, elections, Jamaica, voting