Island-wide voting options go before States of Guernsey

Guernsey could have island-wide voting by the next deputies election in 2012 if the latest plans are approved.

Deputies will be asked to choose between three options for how it could work at their June meeting.

The States Assembly and Constitution Committee came up with the choices after a public consultation.

Under the current system the island is divided into seven electoral districts which each elects members of the island's government.

The first option would see all 45 deputies elected via an island-wide vote every four years, meaning all voters pick from the same list of candidates.

The second is similar but with the elections every two years and half the number of government seats being elected each time.

The third option would see 10 parish deputies elected, as with the current system, and 35 other members via an island-wide vote.

The States will also be asked whether people should be able to vote for as many candidates as they wish or be limited to a maximum of 10.