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Voting rights

Use your vote!

Article by : SpunOut.ie

We all love complaining about the state of our country and how corrupt our politicians are, yet loads of Irish young people don’t bother using their vote. We have the right to vote at local, national and European government level as well as at elections and referenda about Irish laws. 

So, what’s stopping you? Get up, get organised and give your vote to someone you hope will make a difference! If you don’t support any of the political candidates, there are other ways to make a difference. You can lobby local politicians and contact the media on matters that concern you, organise protests and/or organise campaigns to get your voice heard.  

Who can vote?

  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must be a resident in Ireland.
  • Irish citizens can vote in every election and referendum.
  • British citizens can vote at Dail, European and local elections.
  • EU citizens can vote at European and local elections.
  • Non-EU citizens can only vote at local elections.

Register to vote:

  • You have to register to be able to vote in Ireland. A Register of Electors is updated every year and your name needs to be on it in order to vote. Visit www.checktheregister.ie to find out if you are already registered to vote.
  • Contact your local County Council and ask to register (you might have to show a documents such as your birth cert or driving license).
  • You need to register at least three weeks before an election – you can do so on what is called the supplemental register.
  • Usually you have to vote in person at a polling station (set up in your local area). However if you have an illness or disability that stops you going to the polling station or you are studying full time away from home then you might be able to vote by post.
  • Contact your local County Council or visit www.vote.ie for more information on voting.

Irish political parties

Labour: www.labour.ie

Fianna Fáil: www.fiannafail.ie

Fine Gael: www.finegael.org

Socialist party: www.socialistparty.net

Green party: www.greenparty.ie

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