|
1.) Introduction:
In order to be able to vote at an election or referendum, a persons name must be entered on the register of electors for the area in which the ordinarily reside. Registration authorities are required by law to prepare and publish a register every year. The register comes into force on 15th February and is used for all subsequent elections and referendum held in the succeeding 12 months.
2.) Who Can Vote?
A person must be at least 18 years of age on the day the register comes into force (15th February) before they can be entered into the electoral register. All residents of the state aged 18 and upwards are entitled to be on the register.
While every adult resident is entitled to be registered, it is a person’s citizenship that determines which elections they may vote in. The right to vote is as follows:
Irish Citizens may vote at every election and referendum.
British Citizens may vote at Dáil, European and Local elections.
Other EU Citizens may vote in European and Local elections.
Non-EU Citizens may vote at Local Elections only.
A person must be ordinarily resident at the address they wish to be registered at on 1st September preceding the coming into force of the register. Importantly, a person may be registered at one address only.
3.) Preparation of Register:
Limerick County Council conducts a review annually of the Register and has a number of Fieldworkers working on this task. The draft register is published on 1st November and is made available to the public for inspection at post offices, libraries, Garda stations and local authority offices. If any errors or omissions are discovered the registration authority should be notified immediately so that they may be rectified.
4.) Postal Voters:
There are certain categories of individuals who are permitted to vote by post prior to polling day. These include:
- Full-time members of the Defence Forces who normally live in military barracks.
- Irish Diplomats posted abroad and their spouses.
- Members of the Garda Siochána
- Persons unable to go to a polling station due to a physical illness or disability.
- Persons whose occupations are likely to prevent them from attending a polling station on election day, including full-time students registered at home but attending college elsewhere in the state.
5.) Special Voters:
Special voter are those persons with a physical illness or disability living in hospitals, nursing homes or similar institutions who wish to vote at these locations. To qualify the individuals illness or disability must prevent them from attending the polling station in person. On polling day a special presiding officer accompanied by a Garda delivers a ballot paper to the individual.
6.) Inspecting the Register:
Any person may inspect the register during working hours at the offices of the registration authority and at public libraries, post offices and Garda stations. You can also check to see if you are registered by going online at www.checktheregister.ie and entering your details. Copies of the register are made available to elected public representatives and election candidates. A Fee may apply and a Statutory Declaration may have to be signed. However, it is an offence to use details on the full register for anything other than electoral or other statutory purpose.
7.) How to Register:
If you wish to be entered on to the electoral register you must complete a registration form (RFA) and return it to General Administration, Limerick County Council, County Hall, Dooradoyle, Co. Limerick before 1st November.
If you have missed the November deadline you may apply to go on the supplement to the register, which is published prior to polling day. An application (RFA2) for entry on the supplement must be witnessed by a member of the Garda Siochana and must be received by the registration authority at least 15 working days before polling day to be considered for that election.
If you are already on the register but have moved residence from one constituency to another or to another local electoral area you can apply for entry to the supplement at your new address by completing a Change of Address form (RFA3). This application must be signed and stamped at a Garda station and photographic identification may be required.
Registration forms are available from your local registration authority and most libraries, post offices and Garda stations or alternatively they can be downloaded from Limerick County Council’s website at www.lcc.ie/register_of_electors
If you have any queries or would like further information please contact The Franchise Section on Tel: 061 49 60 00
|