Christopher Famous

Recently, the hard-working staff at the Parliamentary Registry released an updated voters list to facilitate the upcoming referendum on same-sex marriage to be held on June 23.

Interestingly, there has been an upward movement of the total number of voters since the June 2015 voters list was produced. Previously, there were 43,745 registered voters.

As of June 2016, there are now 44,372 registered voters, indicating an additional net total of 627 persons having been added to the voters list.

The breakdown of the voters list according to gender shows 53 per cent female against 47 per cent male, indicating that Bermudian women of all ages are the more influential voting demographic.

A notable upward movement from 7,343 to 7,661 voters shows a gain of 318 voters in the column for persons in the 60-69 age bracket. This would indicate that those who are about to retire, or have recently retired, make up 17 per cent of the electorate.

In total there are 15,800 voters over 60 years of age creating a total of 33 per cent of the electorate, clearly showing the power of Bermudian seniors.

On the other end of the age spectrum, there has also been upward movement of persons in the 18-29 age bracket.

In total, there are now 5,594 persons in this column, showing an upward movement of approximately 90 persons, from 5,505 in 2015.

I can recall clearly one day canvassing a Janet Williams, from Cedar Heights Lane, Warwick. After we had finished talking, she asked us to hold on as she had to make an important call.

A few minutes later, a young man appeared at the door whom she introduced as her grandson, Winslow Ray.

She explained that he had recently turned 18 and she has always spoken to him about the importance of registering to vote and exercising this right that she and so many others had to march and fight for.

In turn, he took the voters registration form and filled it out in her presence. We could detect a great sense of pride in Mrs Williams, as she saw him sign his name and hand it back to us.

For us, there is very little that could ever match that moment.

Politics at times can be extremely frustrating, giving rise to one wishing to throw up their arms in despair. However, when we think of all the persons depending on others to put themselves forward in one way or the other to represent their wishes and concerns, it brings it all back down to what this should really be all about — our fellow Bermudians.

To the people of Bermuda, if you or anyone you know needs to be registered to vote or have moved residence since December 2012, please take a few minutes to complete the process.

It can be done online at the Parliamentary Registry website, www.elections.gov.bm, or if you need someone to come to assist you, feel free to call or WhatsApp myself at 599-0901 or e-mail me at carib_pro@yahoo.com.

Voting is your hard-earned right.