Municipalities Reform Act 2026
Failed
Simplified for You
What this bill does
This bill eliminates municipal elections for Hamilton and St. George's corporations and replaces them with a government appointment system. Instead of residents and businesses voting for mayors and councillors, the Minister will directly appoint some members and appoint others based on recommendations from selection committees.
If Passed (Voted Yes)
No more municipal elections - current elected officials serve until May 11, 2026, then appointed officials take over on May 12, 2026
The Minister appoints each mayor plus 4 councillors directly, and appoints 4 more councillors based on recommendations from selection committees
Appointed members serve 2-year terms and can be reappointed, with the Minister able to remove them for being unfit or unable to perform their duties
If Rejected (Voted No)
Municipal elections continue as they currently work, with residents and business ratepayers voting for their local representatives
The current elected mayors and councillors would serve until the next scheduled election (May 2026)
Citizens keep their right to vote for who runs their local municipalities
Who It Affects
This directly affects all residents and businesses in Hamilton and St. George's who currently vote in municipal elections, as well as current elected officials in both corporations. Anyone interested in running for municipal office would need to apply through the new appointment process instead of running in elections.
Vote counts are not published.
The Bermuda Parliament does not publicly record individual vote counts or how each member voted.
Write to your MP about this