Paul Dillon delves into how the Irish voting system works, and who’s entitled to vote in what election In Ireland...
Every adult person aged over 18 who is resident in Ireland, regardless of where they were born, has a vote in this country’s local elections next year. Many are not aware of this fact. But in order to vote, you must be signed up to the electoral register.
To register to vote, you must do so before 25 November. You can get the forms from your local library or county council office.
The website www.vote.ie provides a comprehensive summary of this simple process. Registering is straightforward, but if you are unsure of whether or not you are registered, go to www.checktheregsiter.ie.
If you do not register by 25 November, you can still register but you will be placed on what is called the supplementary register. You can join this register if your form arrives with your local council 15 full working days before the local election. However, it is better to register straight away.
The local elections scheduled for May 2014 are the elections with the widest franchise, as every adult resident in Ireland can participate. British citizens resident in Ireland have a special position here as they can also vote in Dáil and European elections, while citizens of other EU member states can vote at European level.
If you are an EU citizen other than an Irish or British citizen and you wish to register to vote in the European elections, you must complete what is called a form EP1 as you cannot vote in more than one country. This from is available at www.checktheregister.ie. The local council will register you to vote in your local constituency and send the information to the relevant authority in your home state. You can also get the form from your local council.
Ireland is split into three constituencies for the European elections that will take place on the same day as the local elections next May. Three MEPs will be elected from Dublin, and four each from Midlands-North-West and South.
In the local elections, meanwhile, local areas are grouped together into geographical ‘wards’ and between six and 10 councillors will be elected from each ward. The number of councillors depends on the size of the wards, but is roughly one for every 4,830 people.
You are entitled to be included on the Register of Electors on or after the day on which you reach 18 years of age. You can be included if your birthday falls after the closing date for applications but is on or before polling day. Those within this category should include a copy of their birth certificates with their application.
How the system works
The Irish electoral system is called PR-STV, which is short for proportional representation by single transferable vote. In other words, you vote for candidates in order of preference – and besides giving the candidate you most want to get in your top vote, your choice can also transfer down the line to others.
You mark the ballot paper by putting a ‘1’ opposite the name of your first choice candidate and, if you wish, a ‘2’ opposite the name of your second choice, a ‘3’ opposite your third and so on, but there is no obligation to list more than one.
Paul Dillon is an independent local election candidate in the Crumlin Kimmage ward of Dublin City Council. He blogs at www.pauldillon.ie
