I have no vote....advice please

proponent · 25-02-2011 10:05am #1

Just arrived at my polling station and I am down as only being registered to vote in local elections. They have spoken to my local council and a lady rang to say that 'they are really sorry, its there mistake and there is nothing they can do in this election,. they can fix it for the next election'

I am naturally fuming.. and will go on joe duffy if i have to....

what are my rights here?

I want my vote, i pay enough bloody tax to have a say

grrrr

any advice please

Mr Magners · 25-02-2011 10:09am

Is it your first time ever going to vote?

Why were you only registered as being eleigble to vote in Locals in the first place. Are you Irish by birth?

Cookie_Monster · 25-02-2011 10:10am

what has paying tax got to do with voting?

We've been bombarded with advice to check the register and ensure we're all eligible for the last few weeks, why didn't you check?

proponent · 25-02-2011 10:14am

I Checked the register online..I was on it.

I am Irish Citizen by birth. have always lived here and voted in every other general election.

its a clerical error and now they are telling me that even though its their error i still cant vote today.

The Brigadier · 25-02-2011 10:15am

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

We've been bombarded with advice to check the register and ensure we're all eligible for the last few weeks, why didn't you check?

+1

The Brigadier · 25-02-2011 10:16am

proponent wrote: »

I Checked the register online..I was on it.

But did you check you were down for the GE?

Dinner · 25-02-2011 10:17am

proponent wrote: »

I Checked the register online..I was on it.

Were you down as P or L on the register?

proponent · 25-02-2011 10:17am

The Brigadier wrote: »

+1

I checked last week and the week before... im on the register ONLINE to vote DAIL

alas at my polling station im only down as Local

Mr Magners · 25-02-2011 10:18am

Did you get a polling card in the post?

proponent · 25-02-2011 10:20am

nope and thats why i so pedantically checked the register which suggested that all was well and i put it down to an post

paul71 · 25-02-2011 10:24am

Ok, this IS new, I have heard of all the scenarios presented on this tread to the op before, but what has happened is something I have not heard of before.

proponent · 25-02-2011 10:27am

I know
this is why i am so annoyed.. the ladys attitude is whats winding me up the most... its our fault but tough sh1t on you!

im not having it

Riskymove · 25-02-2011 10:29am

paul71 wrote: »

Ok, this IS new, I have heard of all the scenarios presented on this tread to the op before, but what has happened is something I have not heard of before.

unfortunately, it does happen

im not having it

I feel for you OP, extremely frustrating

Mr Magners · 25-02-2011 10:34am

It's regrettable that this has happened to you. Unfortunately I think you'll have to accept the decision. If there was ever a query raised about the votes cast at your polling booth it could be discovered that an individual(You) was given a vote without being entitled to it, (according to the register on the day). This couldpotentially lead to all kinds of legals issues.

It's a sickener I know but I reckon there's nothing you can do about it at this stage

Daegerty · 25-02-2011 10:37am

proponent wrote: »

and will go on joe duffy if i have to....

Joe Duffy aught to have a spare polling card or two laying around for you if you ask nicely.

johngalway · 25-02-2011 10:42am

I was a polling clerk for a couple of elections. Unfortunately if you're not down on the register or the supplementary register there's nothing they can do for you. We had one lad who it happened to, same as yourself, next election. It's a right kick in the teeth.

paul71 · 25-02-2011 11:07am

Mr Magners wrote: »

It's regrettable that this has happened to you. Unfortunately I think you'll have to accept the decision. If there was ever a query raised about the votes cast at your polling booth it could be discovered that an individual(You) was given a vote without being entitled to it, (according to the register on the day). This couldpotentially lead to all kinds of legals issues.

It's a sickener I know but I reckon there's nothing you can do about it at this stage

But is the reverse not also true? A person who has done all that is legally required of him/her in order to register and beleives he/she is registered as a result of checking the electorial register and finding himself to be listed is then denied the opertunity to. Is it not posible in that instance that legal questions can be raised if 1 vote decides the last seat.

Mr Magners · 25-02-2011 11:28am

paul71 wrote: »

But is the reverse not also true? A person who has done all that is legally required of him/her in order to register and beleives he/she is registered as a result of checking the electorial register and finding himself to be listed is then denied the opertunity to. Is it not posible in that instance that legal questions can be raised if 1 vote decides the last seat.

I agree to a point.

The reigister of electors shows the OP is not eligible to vote in this election today. That's a fact, whatever the reasons are for him being excluded from voting, human error or whatever.

I would imagine if it came down it that today's register is above question and that the OP was not eligible to vote in today's GE so there is no issue.

I do see the difficulties your points raise though. It's an interesting one.

Dr. Dodger · 25-02-2011 11:38am

The same thing happened to me this morning!! I had checked the register as did my sister and I was on it to vote. My brother wasn't, we looked into it and he was ok to vote this morning (although the name was spelt wrong!) but I was gone from the register! Fuming!

They checked the supplementary list and I'm gone from that too. All my family are still on it.

I have voted on everything for the last 10+ years. My father meanwhile who has been dead almost 3 years is still registered to vote. They're absolutely useless, I'm so annoyed. I feel absolutely robbed. :mad:

paul71 · 25-02-2011 11:39am

Mr Magners wrote: »

I agree to a point.

The reigister of electors shows the OP is not eligible to vote in this election today. That's a fact, whatever the reasons are for him being excluded from voting, human error or whatever.

I would imagine if it came down it that today's register is above question and that the OP was not eligible to vote in today's GE so there is no issue.

I do see the difficulties your points raise though. It's an interesting one.

Hopefully it is an isolated incident and will not cause problems, can you imagine the problems if it was found to have happened to a few hundred voters in one area.

Cookie_Monster · 25-02-2011 11:52am

Given the further comment by the OP, I apologise for jumping down his throat and implying he didn't bother to check the register.

Kimura · 25-02-2011 12:21pm

paul71 wrote: »

But is the reverse not also true? A person who has done all that is legally required of him/her in order to register and beleives he/she is registered as a result of checking the electorial register and finding himself to be listed is then denied the opertunity to. Is it not posible in that instance that legal questions can be raised if 1 vote decides the last seat.

Also is he not being denied his constitutional right trough no fault of his own. What is his legal stance

n97 mini · 25-02-2011 12:27pm

Yes, OP is being denied their constitutional right, ironically by a person working for the state.

I would contact the local TD and ask them to accompany me to the polling station for further discussion.

SeaSide · 25-02-2011 12:39pm

As above. Bring it to the attention of who you were going to vote for. Call me cynical or call me paranoid but I don't think you will be unique and I do think it will be suspiciously one party that this affects

Gambler · 25-02-2011 12:44pm

SeaSide wrote: »

As above. Bring it to the attention of who you were going to vote for. Call me cynical or call me paranoid but I don't think you will be unique and I do think it will be suspiciously one party that this affects

How on earth is that supposed to work? Someone went through the list of names and removed everyone they have a psychic premonition is likely to vote for a specific party?

His name isn't on the list which is bang out of order but don't know how you can make the leap to a conspiracy against a party?!

proponent · 25-02-2011 12:49pm

Hi all,
I think i am sorted after many many phone calls.

basically i was being sent from pillar to post with the council blaming the sheriffs office (who run the election on the day) and visa versa.

I have to turn up with my passport tonight and ask for the sheriff who will be at my polling office and i will be allowed to vote as they CAN make additions to the supplimentary register in such a circumstance. (change from L to D)

it was an absolute pain to be stuck in between two offices blaming one another but i got there in the end.

thanks for all the help and advice...

whohoo! i get my vote phew!

paul71 · 25-02-2011 1:38pm

Kimura wrote: »

Also is he not being denied his constitutional right trough no fault of his own. What is his legal stance

It is not his legal stance in question as such, it is the legal stance of the last candidate eliminated. It is posible (again this I am speculating) that this candidate could mount a legal challange based in the fact that people on the register were denied the opertunity to vote.

Again I accept the point a previous poster made about the register on the day being the only legal register, but it is in the end of the day the courts who would decide what the definition of the register is based on their best interputation of the law.

moceri · 25-02-2011 4:17pm

If for any reason you are not on the register, there are circumstances, where if you can establish your identity (Passport) and proof of domicile,(Tax return, Drivers license and utility bill) It will be complicated and may require the sheriff to Verify your documents.

This is to avoid multiple registrations.

The invigilators are only doing their job and have to stick to the rules.

neil_hosey · 25-02-2011 4:20pm

my sister got 2 voting cards.. one as her maiden name and one or married... :rolleyes:

Im sure i could send a voting card ur way for small fee BRIBE!

mayo.mick · 25-02-2011 4:49pm

proponent wrote: »

Hi all,
I think i am sorted after many many phone calls.

basically i was being sent from pillar to post with the council blaming the sheriffs office (who run the election on the day) and visa versa.

I have to turn up with my passport tonight and ask for the sheriff who will be at my polling office and i will be allowed to vote as they CAN make additions to the supplimentary register in such a circumstance. (change from L to D)

it was an absolute pain to be stuck in between two offices blaming one another but i got there in the end.

thanks for all the help and advice...

whohoo! i get my vote phew!

I would take it further, find out why you changed from d to L. A lot of dirty tricks going on:mad:

holidaygirl · 25-02-2011 5:25pm

OP glad you got sorted.

My husband ended up with 2 voting cards - when we checked the register he wasn't on it, so he rang as we had both voted at this address in the local elections and no changes should have been made since then. They told him he wan't on it so he filled in the form and got it signed by the guards and sent back just after the Dail had been dissolved. He then ended up getting two votes.

My mother was not on the register when we checked but when she rang they insured her that it was an error on-line and that she was on it. She did get a voting card.

I have no vote....advice please

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