Post Vote

Precious flower

Hi ladies

Do you know the how to register for a postal vote? The referendum is set for the 25th of May and I am heading on holiday abroad very early in the morning so it's not possible for me to vote. I looked it up but it seemed to suggest it is only possible if you are physically unable to make it to the polling booth due to disability work or education.

Does anyone have experience with this, as I would feel bad not being able to vote.

Scarinae

This is the information I found on the Citizens' Information website:

Postal Voters List

You will normally be required to vote in person at an official voting centre but you may be eligible for a postal vote if you are:

• An Irish diplomat or his/her spouse posted abroad
• A member of the Garda Síochána
• A whole-time member of the Defence Forces.

You may also be eligible for a postal vote if you cannot go to a polling station because:

• Of a physical illness or disability
• You are studying full time at an educational institution in Ireland, which is away from your home address where you are registered
• You are unable to vote at your polling station because of your occupation
• You are unable to vote at your polling station because you are in prison as a result of an order of a court.

Applications for inclusion on the Postal Voters List must be received by 25 November at the latest.

If you are registered as a postal voter, you may vote by post only. You may not vote at a polling station.

Supplement to the Postal Voters List

If you are eligible for the Postal Voters List but are not included, you can apply for inclusion in the relevant supplement to the list.

The latest date for receipt of applications is:

• 2 days after the date of dissolution of the Dáil in the case of a general election
• 2 days after the date of the order appointing polling day in the case of a Dáil bye-election
• 22 days (excluding Sundays and public holidays) before polling day for other elections or referenda

For the forthcoming referendum on 25 May 2018, the local authority must receive your application by Saturday 28 April.

Application forms are available on checktheregister.ie and from your local authority.

Unfortunately it doesn't look as if you can vote by post if you just can't make it on the day - the referendum is unfortunately on the same day as my sister's wedding, which is taking place in the UK, so my entire family is not going to be able to vote :eek:

Precious flower

Scarinae wrote: »

This is the information I found on the Citizens' Information website:



Unfortunately it doesn't look as if you can vote by post if you just can't make it on the day - the referendum is unfortunately on the same day as my sister's wedding, which is taking place in the UK, so my entire family is not going to be able to vote :eek:

I think it's so unfair. I had my flights booked well in advance of this announcement so there's no way to change it. I want it to pass!

Caranica

Precious flower wrote: »

I think it's so unfair. I had my flights booked well in advance of this announcement so there's no way to change it. I want it to pass!

It's not unfair, it's our postal voting rules. Every single possible date will exclude some people.
It will exclude some retainers as well as repealers. If you can't vote, consider canvassing for repeal, there are groups all around the country. You can still make a difference

AttentionBebe

I'm not eligible for a postal vote even though my baby is due on the same date, so they definitely won't take holidays into account

Precious flower

Caranica wrote: »

It's not unfair, it's our postal voting rules. Every single possible date will exclude some people.
It will exclude some retainers as well as repealers. If you can't vote, consider canvassing for repeal, there are groups all around the country. You can still make a difference

I'm curious why they can't post out voting slips in advance for people who can't make it on the day outside of disability or educational/work commitments. Why is that an issue? At least for referendums as important as this.

baby and crumble

Precious flower wrote: »

I'm curious why they can't post out voting slips in advance for people who can't make it on the day outside of disability or educational/work commitments. Why is that an issue? At least for referendums as important as this.

The cost would be enormous.

ted1

Precious flower wrote: »

Caranica wrote: »

It's not unfair, it's our postal voting rules. Every single possible date will exclude some people.
It will exclude some retainers as well as repealers. If you can't vote, consider canvassing for repeal, there are groups all around the country. You can still make a difference

I'm curious why they can't post out voting slips in advance for people who can't make it on the day outside of disability or educational/work commitments. Why is that an issue? At least for referendums as important as this.

I guess that they are worried about a couple of hundred thousand Irish people living abroad registering for a postal vote.

The way I see it is if you are away it’s. very likely a person with the opposite view is also away.

Flappidyflap

I got a postal vote for the marriage referendum. I was away for the week it was on for work. Can’t remember the full process but I got a form signed by my boss to confirm had to get it signed in Garda station then, sent it off and received my vote by post. Easy.

Del2005

Flappidyflap wrote: »

I got a postal vote for the marriage referendum. I was away for the week it was on for work. Can’t remember the full process but I got a form signed by my boss to confirm had to get it signed in Garda station then, sent it off and received my vote by post. Easy.

That's because you met the criteria, the OP doesn't.

Beanybabog

AttentionBebe wrote: »

I'm not eligible for a postal vote even though my baby is due on the same date, so they definitely won't take holidays into account

Have you checked that out?? I’m due the day before and was wondering the same thing and was wondering if it’s worth an email to the council. I’m assuming pregnancy/ post partum care won’t classify as an illness for us to get a postal vote?

AttentionBebe

Beanybabog wrote: »

Have you checked that out?? I’m due the day before and was wondering the same thing and was wondering if it’s worth an email to the council. I’m assuming pregnancy/ post partum care won’t classify as an illness for us to get a postal vote?

Of course, this is from my getting in touch with the council weeks ago. Unless you are having a planned section with the dates nailed down you won't be eligible. It's completely ridiculous.