Fellow Jamaicans: My Democracy Dividends Proposal

aquest
Aug 21, 2025
2 min read

Today, it is just about thirteen days to Jamaica’s general election, scheduled for September 3, 2025. Current polling predicts yet another cycle of low voter turnout. This persistent reluctance to participate in the democratic process stems, in large part, from widespread distrust of politics and politicians. Unless the electorate is given fresh, practical incentives to turn out and vote—for whichever party they choose—this apathy will endure.

The Opposition, has every political reason to promote a high voter turnout. By comparison, the incumbent governing Party might or might not benefit strategically from voter disillusionment, given the deep distrust of governance reflected in the polls. An opposition party should therefore seriously consider adopting an innovative pledge: that if elected to govern, they will honourably reward every citizen who turns out to vote on September 3, regardless of which party they support. Moreover, in the interest of democracy and openness, the political parties should challenge each other forthwith to make like pledges to this nation.

Such a solemn promise would not be about buying votes—it would be about valuing civic participation itself. It would send a powerful signal that democracy matters, and that every citizen’s ballot is worth something tangible. Small but meaningful benefits could be structured over the next parliamentary term, based on the political date September 3, such as:

3% rebate on driver’s licence renewal fees.
3% rebate on residential electricity and water bills.
3% rebate on market vendor licence/permit fees.
3% rebate on property tax for homeowners.
3% bonus credit on National Housing Trust (NHT) contributions for contributors.
3% additional grant allocation for students on PATH or other educational assistance programmes.

These measures, modest in cost but rich in symbolism, would reaffirm that participation in elections strengthens not only democracy but also everyday life. By linking civic duty to practical reward, the parties could break the cycle of distrust and reinvigorate electoral engagement.

Here’s a rough costing in Jamaican Dollars (JMD), assuming

~1.2 million voters turn out if incentivised:

Category	Annual Cost (JMD)
Drivers Licence (3% rebate)	32.4 million
Electricity (3% rebate)	8.64 billion
Water (3% rebate)	2.59 billion
Market Vendors (3% rebate)	34.6 million
Property Tax (3% rebate)	189 million
NHT Contributions (3% bonus)	1.94 billion
Education Grants (3% boost)	270 million
TOTAL	13.7 billion

13,700,000,000 Jamaican Dollars = 85,620,595 US Dollars @ 1 USD = 160.01 JMD

Put simply: The cost to the Jamaican State of the Total "Democracy Dividend" proposed herein would be about half the amount earmarked for repairing the infrastructure of the limping Montego Bay located A-type Cornwall Regional Hospital.

Context

Jamaica’s 2024/25 national budget was about $1.35 trillion JMD.
So, this policy initiative would cost ~1% of the annual budget if implemented fully.
(i.e.: Precisely 1.015% of the annual budget if 60% of the nation's 2.078 million .registered voters go to the polls on September 3, 2025)
Costs could be reduced by phasing in benefits, targeting only certain categories (e.g., electricity + water rebates), or capping the rebate amounts.

This is a financially significant but not impossible investment—especially if honestly and vigorously presented to all citizens as a democracy-strengthening policy that restores trust and participation.

Thank you for the benefit of your time.

by Dennis A. Minott, PhD.

August 21, 2025.