2018 Sint Maarten general election

Snap general elections were held in Sint Maarten on 26 February 2018 following a no confidence vote in the Second Marlin cabinet.[1]

Background

Further information: Second Marlin cabinet

In November 2017, a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister William Marlin and some other ministers was accepted in Parliament, due to Marlin's position in the negotiation with the Dutch government about anti fraud measures and aid funds in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.[2] After the motion of no confidence was accepted, Marlin tendered the resignation of his cabinet to governor Eugene Holiday and requested elections to be held.[3] It is the second early election in a row since the Gumbs cabinet fell in 2015.[4]

Electoral system

The 15 seats in the Estates were elected by proportional representation.[5] In order to participate in the election, new parties and parties without a seat in parliament were required to obtain at least 142 signatures; 1% of the valid votes of the 2016 parliamentary elections.[6]

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	United Democrats	5,769	42.40	7	0
	National Alliance	4,152	30.51	5	0
	United St. Maarten Party	1,796	13.20	2	–1
	St. Maarten Christian Party	1,186	8.72	1	+1
	St. Maarten Development Movement	419	3.08	0	0
	People's Progressive Alliance	285	2.09	0	0
Total		13,607	100.00	15	0
Valid votes		13,607	97.01
Invalid votes		323	2.30
Blank votes		97	0.69
Total votes		14,027	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		22,557	62.18
Source: Government of Sint Maarten[7][8]

References

1. "93 candidates on six parties for elections". The Daily Herald. 5 January 2018.^[permanent dead link‍]
2. "UPDATE Kingdom Government orders Marlin's dismissal". The Daily Herald. 24 November 2017. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
3. "Cabinet Marlin II submits resignation: Sends National Decree to dissolve Parliament". www.sintmaartengov.org. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
4. "St. Maarten Government falls – three coalition members defect". TodaySXM. 30 September 2015.
5. The Constitution Archived 2016-03-25 at the Wayback Machine Estates of Sint Maarten
6. "Election Ordinance - Government of Sint Maarten" (PDF). sintmaartengov.org.
7. "Parliament elections February 26, 2018" (PDF). Government of Sint Maarten.
8. "Candidates to Parliament final" (PDF). Government of Sint Maarten.