FAQ: How to Register to Vote in General Election

Posted on By sconnolly2

FAQ – Register of Electors

When is the General Election Taking Place?

A General Election will take place on Saturday 8th February 2020 with polling between the hours of 7.00 am and 10.00 pm.

 

Who Can Vote in this General Election?

Only persons on the Register of Electors 2019-2020 (which remains in effect until 14 February 2020) or on the Supplement to the Register (which remains open up to and including Wednesday 22 January) can vote.

To be registered to vote at this election, you must be an Irish or British citizen, be ordinarily resident in the State and be 18 years or over on polling day.

 

How do I know if I am registered to vote?

Step 1

  1. Check online at checktheregister.ie if your details are included on the 2019-2020 electoral register. Alternatively, people can check directly with their local authority. If your details are included correctly no further action is necessary.

Step 2

  1. If your details are not included on the 2019-2020 register you should contact the relevant local authority where you live and check if your details are included in the supplement to the register of electors. If your details are included in the supplement to the register of electors no further action is required.

Step 3

  1. If your details are not included in either the register or the supplement to the register you should obtain the appropriate application from your local authority (or download it from checktheregister.ie) and complete the relevant form and, before signing the declaration, bring it along with photo ID to their local Garda station and sign it in the presence of a Member of An Garda Síochána, who will then stamp the form. Forms must reach the local authority on or before 22 January 2020 in order for people to be registered for this election.

 

If you are in Dublin, you may be able to apply for the supplement at voter.ie.

 

What form do I need to complete to be included on the Supplement?

You can apply to be included on the Supplement to the 2019-2020 Register, which will enable you to vote at the 8 February election, and which remains open for applications up to and including Wednesday 22 January.

The forms have further details and are available at www.checktheregister.ie, or from your local registration authority, as follows:

  • If you are not registered – use Form RFA2 to apply
  • If you wish to change address – use Form RFA3 to apply
  • If you are already registered and have since become an Irish citizen – use Form RFA5 to apply

If you are in Dublin, you may be able to apply for the supplement at voter.ie.

Certification of identity is required for entry to the supplement:

  • either by a member of the Gardaí at your local Garda Station, who will witness your signature and stamp your form; (if you can’t get to a Garda station contact your local authority for more information);
  • or, via voter.ie (Dublin only) using MyGovID.

Please note that your form must be received by the local authority on or before Wednesday 22 January to be able to vote at the 8 February General Election.

 

What if I am unable to vote in person at my local polling station on the 8th of February?

*Deadline for application for Special or Postal Voters Supplement is today Thursday 16 January*.

Normally, you must vote in person at your local polling station, however certain categories of person can apply to be entered on a list of Special or Postal voters, and these include:

Those with a physical illness or physical disability living in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution;

Persons living at home unable to vote at their polling station due to a physical illness or disability;

Persons whose occupation prevents them from voting at their local polling station on polling day, including full-time students registered at home but living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State;

Members of An Garda Síochána, whole-time members of the Defence Forces, Irish diplomats posted abroad and their spouses/civil partners, prisoners and certain election staff.

Applications for these categories of voters are also available at www.checktheregister.ie, or from your local registration authority.

Please note the deadline of Thursday 16 January for application for Special or Postal Voters Supplement. (This is to enable these Special and Postal voters lists to be prepared on order for postal votes to issue in time for their return to be included in the ballot for your relevant constituency).

You should contact your registration authority as soon as possible if you fall under one of the above categories and wish to apply for a special or postal vote.