Young and old unite for vote

(CNS): With the electoral register now standing at over 15,000 people, it incorporates a wide cross section of the Caymanian public including a diverse age range. The Elections Office yesterday announced the oldest and youngest voters that will have the right to cast their vote in the May General Election. The oldest registered on the Sister Islands, Ellen Elizabeth Yap (pictured left on her 100th birthday), who was born 11 February 1909, was registered on the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Register of Electors by Georgene Lazzari.

The oldest registered voter in the Cayman Islands is Julia Hydes, who was born on 25 January 1909, was registered on the West Bay Register of Electors by Darlene Owens-Elliott. Cayman’s youngest voter is registered in West Bay. Jessica Marie Ebanks, who was born on  17 May 1991, will be 18 a few days before the General Election.

Over the years, the Elections Office has traditionally recognised the oldest voter, but this year there has been a change in the law to allow young people who will be 18 on the day of the vote to register before their birthday, which has given Cayman its youngest ever voter as well.

“This year, it has been agreed to also recognise the youngest elector, particularly because the December 2008 amendment to the Constitution allows persons to register who will turn 18 by Election Day, which this year is 20 May,” the Office said.

On Friday, the registering officers and other election officials will be visiting these three women  who qualify for recognition.