1961 Jamaican Federation of the West Indies membership referendum

1961 Jamaican Federation of the West Indies membership referendum

19 September 1961
Should Jamaica remain in the Federation of the West Indies?
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 217,319 45.89% No 256,261 54.11% Valid votes 473,580 98.82% Invalid or blank votes 5,640 1.18% Total votes 479,220 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 777,965 61.6%

A referendum on continued membership of the Federation of the West Indies was held in Jamaica on 19 September 1961.[1] Voters were asked "Should Jamaica remain in the Federation of the West Indies?" The result was 54% voting "no", resulting in the country leaving the federation and its dissolution in 1962. Voter turnout was 61%.[2]

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		217,319	45.89
Against		256,261	54.11
Total		473,580	100.00
Valid votes		473,580	98.82
Invalid/blank votes		5,640	1.18
Total votes		479,220	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		777,965	61.60
Source: Nohlen

Sources

• West Indies Federal Archives Centre: File FWI-PM-GA-37: Holding of Referendum in Jamaica.
• West Indies Federal Archives Centre: File FWI-PM-GA-27: Situation Arising from Jamaica Referendum: Report by Professor Lewis - 9 Nov 1961 - 14 Jan 1962.
• Federation, Referendum and Planning for Independence - The Past -- and the Future, Friday, October 13, 1961, The Daily Gleaner

References

1. Dieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I, p430 ISBN 978-0-19-928357-6
2. Nohlen, p432