2025 Caymanian referendum

A nonbinding referendum was held in the Cayman Islands on 30 April 2025, alongside the general election. ^{[1] [2]} Voters were asked three questions. ^[3]

Questions

1. "Should the Cayman Islands develop cruise berthing infrastructure?" ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}
2. "Do you support the introduction of a National Lottery in the Islands?" ^{[4] [8]}
3. "Do you support the decriminalisation of the consumption and possession of small amounts of cannabis?" ^{[4] [9]}

Campaigns

The Association for Cruise Tourism (ACT), a coalition of stakeholders in the tourism industry, have led a campaign to promote the 'yes' vote on the question that, if passed, would allow the government to build cruise berthing facilities. Cruise Port Referendum (CPR) Cayman, a group advocating for environmentally-conscious tourism, has led the campaign to vote 'no'. On 11 April 2025, CPR Cayman accused the ACT in a press release of using misleading ads in their campaign. ^{[10] [11]} Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell responded to CPR's concerns by stating:

There are no provisions in the Referendum Act or the applicable sections of the Elections Act that make it illegal or unlawful to erect a sign or issue a broadcast, for that matter, which is viewed as misleading in relation to a referendum question. I therefore have no legal authority to address your concern. ^[10]

Results

Voters rejected a proposal to build cruise ship berths, but approved the creation of a national lottery and the decriminalisation of possession of small amounts of cannabis. ^[12]

Question	For		Against		Invalid/ blank	Total votes	Registered voters	Turnout	Outcome
	Votes	%	Votes	%
Developing cruise berthing infrastructure	5,417	31.15	11,973	68.85	1,275	18,665	25,643	72.79	Rejected
Introduction of a national lottery	9,563	55.17	7,770	44.83	1,330	18,663		72.78	Approved
Decriminalisation of small amounts of cannabis	10,385	60.40	6,809	39.60	1,483	18,677		72.83	Approved
Source: Government of the Cayman Islands [13]

References

1. "Cayman Islands votes for Parliament seats and holds a referendum on possessing marijuana". AP News. 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
2. "Referendum and elections will be on same ballot paper". CNS Election Section 2025. 2025-02-17. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
3. "Two more questions to be added to 2025 referendum - Cayman Islands Headline News". Cayman News Service. 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
4. Thomas, Alanna. "Referendums 2025". Cayman Resident. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
5. Bridge, Sarah (2025-02-06). "Caymanians will finally get their say on cruise berth question". Cayman Compass. Archived from the original on 2025-02-14. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
6. "Beyond the breaking point: carrying capacity exceeded - Cayman Islands Headline News". Cayman News Service. 2025-04-03. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
7. "Cayman Islands votes for Parliament seats and holds a referendum on possessing marijuana". AP News. 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
8. Hainey, Raymond (2024-10-03). "Lottery and ganja to get referendum at last". Cayman Compass. Archived from the original on 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
9. "Cayman Islands to hold referendum on decriminalizing pot". AP News. 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
10. "Missing referendum law paves way for misinformation - Cayman Islands Headline News". Cayman News Service. 2025-04-11. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
11. "Misleading Information Signage and Lack of Referendum Regulations". Caymanian Times. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
12. Hainey, Raymond. "Cruise ship piers sunk but voters take chance on lottery, cannabis decriminalisation". Cayman Compass. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
13. "2025 General Election and Referendum Results". CIG Public Relations. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.