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Disenfranchised

  • 28-10-2011 3:24pm
    #1
    squonk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,990 ✭✭✭


    Ì filled out my form to get onto the supplemental register and got it signed. I handed it into Galway City Council at their office on the last day where I was eligable to get onto the supplemental register for the Presidential Election.

    A Garda was there to sign any forms coming in. I had gotten mine signed at one of the other Garda stations in Galway previously so I handed over the form as she said she'd take it.

    I rang up the City Council last Friday to ensure I was on the supplemental register but they told me they couldn't locate my form and that I wasn't eligible to vote. As it was late Friday I was very annoyed but it was too late to do anything about it.

    Monday came around and I contacted the county registrar about the matter. She told me that I would have to get a letter from Galway city council describing what happened and return that to her. At that point I put two and two together and realised that there was probably no way I could get onto the register in time.

    I'm highly annoyed. Thankfully my preferred candidate did well and didn't really need my vote in the end but that's entirely beside the point.

    I was promised that the council would look into the matter and get back to me but so far I have heard nothing. I don't think this is good enough. I value my vote very highly as out abillity to self-govern was very dearly won and I fully believe that a vote shouldn't be taken lightly.

    Right now an explanation and an apology would suffice. I know we are all human and mistakes can happen but it's particularly galling that I complied with the rules, handed my form over to a Garda and was still disenfranchised. What's the best thing to do? I don't feel like letting the Council off the hook on this one.


Comments

  • #2
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,686 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    squonk wrote: »
    What's the best thing to do?

    Don't leave it to the last minute next time.


  • #3
    squonk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,990 ✭✭✭squonk


    Zubeneschamali wrote: »
    Don't leave it to the last minute next time.

    yes, thank you for that! You obviously never had to move for work to somewhere new or anything like that... any other piontless comments you wish to make?


  • #4
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,686 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    squonk wrote: »
    yes, thank you for that! You obviously never had to move for work to somewhere new or anything like that... any other piontless comments you wish to make?

    Since it made no odds, I wouldn't get too stressed about it.


  • #5
    HivemindXX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,208 ✭✭✭HivemindXX


    Zubeneschamali wrote: »
    Don't leave it to the last minute next time.

    Actually leaving until the last day you are eligible to do this is perfectly acceptable. It's not like the OP appeared on polling day forms in hand.

    I would encourage the OP to complain in writing. Mistakes get made and possibly the councils are doing an acceptably job at this but if nobody ever complained they the councils will assume that they are handling this process perfectly which appears not to be the case.

    They should be made aware of any problems. If 1% of these applications is not handled correctly then maybe that is alright. If 10% aren't then they need to figure out where the problem is and fix it.


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