2014 Sint Eustatius status referendum

A status referendum was held in Sint Eustatius on 17 December 2014.[1] Sint Eustatius had become a Dutch public body upon the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, despite this not being the status voted for, and so the 2014 referendum was supported as a way to resolve this.[2] Although a majority of those voting opted for increased autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, voter turnout was well below the 60% required for the referendum to be binding.[3]

Background

The decision to hold a referendum was approved by the Island Council on 8 October and supported by the United People's Party the Statia Liberal Action Movement independent MP Reuben Merkman. On 25 October the date was set for 17 December, with only the Democratic Party opposed.[1]

Question

Voters were presented with four options:[1]

  1. Remain a public body
  2. Independence
  3. Autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  4. Integration into the Netherlands

Result

Choice Votes %
Autonomy 747 65.53
Public body (status quo) 374 32.81
Integration 14 1.23
Independence 5 0.44
Invalid/blank votes 16 –
Total 1,156 100
Registered voters/turnout 2,546 45.40
Source: Saba News

References

  1. ^ a b c Referendum on constitutional status Statia on December 17 Archived 2014-10-28 at the Wayback Machine Saba News, 28 October 2014
  2. ^ Parliament backs Statia referendum The Daily Herald, 12 June 2012
  3. ^ Insufficient voters referendum Statia Archived 2014-12-22 at the Wayback Machine Saba News, 18 December 2014
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