A constitutional referendum was held in Antigua and Barbuda on 6 November 2018,Residents urged to register ahead of planned referendum Antigua Observer, 14 August 2018 the first referendum in the country's history.Still no date for referendum Antigua Observer, 15 March 2017 The proposed constitutional amendment, which ultimately failed to pass, would have made the Caribbean Court of Justice the final court of appeal, replacing the London-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.Antigua announces “non-stop” campaign ahead of CCJ referendum Jamaica Observer, 14 August 2018 A quorum of 66.6 % of the valid votes in favour was required for the amendment to be approved.

Grenada also held a referendum on joining the CCJ on the same day; that vote also failed to pass.ANTIGUA – Antigua and Grenada to hold CCJ Referendum in November Caribbean News Services, 2 July 2018

History Whilst a colony of the United Kingdom, Antigua and Barbuda followed the British legal system with the Privy Council being their court of final appeal. Following Antiguan independence in 1981, they opted to retain the Privy Council as the final appeals court. The Caribbean Court of Justice was established in 2001, with the intent of creating a localised Caribbean court of final appeal, with various former British colonies joining it whilst dropping appeals to the Privy Council.

In 2018, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne called the referendum and encouraged Antiguans to vote in favour of it. The opposition United Progressive Party opposed the proposed change and encouraged Antiguans to vote by their consience. Due to the Privy Council as the final court being entrenched in the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda, a 66% vote in favour was needed to adopt the Caribbean Court of Justice in place of the Privy Council.

Question Voters were asked to respond YES or NO to the following question:

Results and aftermath The final vote tally gave totals of 8,509 for the amendment and 9,234 against. Turnout was 33.6% of the electorate. Therefore the Privy Council was retained. Browne expressed disappointment but accepted the result.

It was initially claimed that it was through the UPP's campaigning that the referendum failed, but it has been pointed out that due to the low turnout of 33.3%, the government's Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party supporters were apathetic to the proposed change.

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