Leader of the Opposition McKeeva Bush, speaking to about 100 supporters in West Bay on Tuesday night, urged Cayman Islands Democratic Party voters to reject a move toward “one man, one vote” and single-member districts. Mr. Bush, joined by fellow MLAs Bernie Bush and Eugene Ebanks at the Sir John A. Cumber Primary School hall, said the proposed changes to local elections threatened Cayman’s democracy. “This is not something you play with. This is your democracy,” he said. He urged the supporters to attend the Electoral Boundary Commission meeting in West Bay next week. The commission is in the midst of a tour of the islands collecting comments on redistricting for single-member voting districts.
Mr. Bush pointed to the success Cayman has seen in the past 60 years and asked why the elections system should change to international standards. “They can keep their international standards when it comes to my voting system,” he said. “Our way is much better.”
Cayman currently has six voting districts. Grand Cayman has three multimember districts – West Bay, George Town and Bodden Town – and two single-member districts, North Side and East End. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman share a voting district and elect two representatives.
There was some confusion Tuesday between the “one man, one vote” proposal and single-member districts. The one man, one vote proposal means each voter can cast a ballot for one candidate instead of the current system where someone can cast several votes for different representatives in their district. This is closely related to, but decidedly separate from single-member districts where each person would be able to vote for only one person to represent their district.
Full Article: Opposition says no to election changes :: Cayman Compass.