August 2024 Sint Maarten general election

Snap general elections will be held in Sint Maarten on 19 August 2024, following the early dissolution of the parliament elected in January.

Background
Following the January 2024 general elections a four-party government was formed by the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM), the Democratic Party, the Party for Progress and Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW), all of which had won two seats. As the URSM received the most votes of the four, its leader Luc Mercelina became Prime Minister. Elected members took office on 10 February 2024, and Mercelina took the oath of office on 3 May. However, the government collapsed 18 days later when NOW MP Kevin Maingrette left the coalition to join the opposition. This crossing the floor cost the coalition its majority, leading Mercelina to dissolve parliament and call snap elections. However, on 27 May Maingrette withdrew his support for the opposition and expressed support for the Mercelina administration despite still sitting as an independent. However, the elections remained scheduled.

Electoral system
The 15 seats in the Estates are elected by proportional representation. In order to participate in the election, new parties and parties without a seat in parliament are required to obtain at least 144 signatures; 1% of the valid votes of the January 2024 general elections.