of at least five years of ordinary residency in Jersey at some foregoing period. The right to vote is determined by residency, not citizenship, and therefore citizens of any state may vote in Jersey elections provided they fulfill the other requirements for electoral registration. On 4 July 2007, the States of Jersey voted to reduce voting age to 16. The law was brought into force on 12 March 2008, with effect from 1 April 2008, allowing 16- and 17-year-old voters to register in time for the 2008 elections. Those entitled to vote at elections other than public elections are electors, ratepayers and mandataires. The first public election by secret ballot was held on 1 December 1891, following the passing of the law providing for secret ballots on 26 January 1891. Secret ballots are not required for other elections (at Parish Assemblies) and may be conducted by show of hands, although such elections may be conducted by means of secret ballot. Indirect elections Since the 1948 constitutional reforms, Jurats are elected by electoral college rather than by Islandwide vote. See also Politics of Jersey Electoral calendar Electoral system References External links Voter registration and information on vote.je Election information on Government of Jersey website