Local Elections 2019

donalh087

Quick question - any idea where I would find a final list of candidates for LE 19?

L1011

Council websites, council per council and not all of them give a toss about it.

Anything else is going to be error prone.

RainNeverBow

How will this election go anyway? Any predictions?

L1011

RainNeverBow wrote: »

How will this election go anyway? Any predictions?

We've decent proportionality with relatively large areas; although not as good as last time (some split municipal districts in to to two areas - realistically to try reduce the number of Independents) - so it'll be extremely close to the polling figures basically.

The main points of interest for me will be in whether there is a reduction in the number of Indepdendents and a respective return to the established parties; and also whether Aontu can even hold on to their existing 7.

There's a poster on politics.ie who is convinced that AAA-PBP have been so careful in selecting seats that every single candidate will get elected. That's not going to happen - but it'll be interesting to see who they do return; polling can be quite useless at the low end so it could be anywhere from embarrassing to quite a good day for them

The performance of smaller party candidates will heavily influence decisions on how many candidates to run in a GE for everyone, including the big parties.

Itssoeasy

The closing date is the 7th of May so there might be changes before then.

Larbre34

Nominations actually closed yesterday and the Councils have the lists on their websites now.

The 7th is the date by which nominees can decide to withdraw and not appear on the ballot, if they withdraw after that date, the ballot will be gone to print and they will still appear on it.

is_that_so

RainNeverBow wrote: »

How will this election go anyway? Any predictions?

It's usually a question of who will get punished. In that regard it could be a quiet election. Most of the parties seem to be in holding mode. Independents and smaller parties might suffer.

Itssoeasy wrote: »

The closing date is the 7th of May so there might be changes before then.

Here's a partial list. By the looks of it, it will have all of them in due course.


https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2019/0505/1047645-local-elections/

donalh087

Nothing on the Cork Co Co website.

Brussels Sprout

Adrian Kavanagh has been keeping track of all of these. He has it ordered by party so you might need to do a bit of searching around to get the full picture for any one ward:

https://adriankavanaghelections.org/author/adriankavanagh/

donalh087

Thanks BS. I have seen Adrians work - I know the main party candidates and he has already missed one or two of the minor ones so my confidence is not absolute. I was hoping for an official definitive list.

WoollyRedHat

Is there any decent write up on the incumbents seeking re-election and their policies as well as council voting records? Same for first time candidates would be useful in helping people make an informed choice.

L1011

Just realised Gary Gannon isn't running for the council. He won't get the Euro seat; so that's anywhere from a few months to years in the wilderness for him - presume he'll run in the GE.

L1011

He's actually just moved MDs, confusingly. Should be safe enough in the new one

is_that_so

L1011 wrote: »

He's actually just moved MDs, confusingly. Should be safe enough in the new one

Isn't he doing both?

L1011

He's doing the Cabra Glasnevin MD and Europe. He was North Inner City and that's where I was looking

RainNeverBow

Normally I hate that **** of dual running but with the purgatory of the fourth seat because of Brexit it makes a lot of sense to me. Can't expect someone who is elected but not getting paid to do nothing imo

expectationlost

donalh087 wrote: »

Quick question - any idea where I would find a final list of candidates for LE 19?

https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2019/0505/1047645-local-elections/

Eric Cartman

L1011 wrote: »

He's doing the Cabra Glasnevin MD and Europe. He was North Inner City and that's where I was looking

7 Seats, 18 Candidates most incumbents from the old boundaries should be safe.

That one ill be keeping an eye on as my local election donkey pick is in there.

Neyite

Is there anywhere that I can find the candidates stance on certain issues? I seem to recall a website that listed all the candidates and a tick or an x under certain topical headings but no idea what that website was called.



I've gleaned a bit of information from different articles and news sources but a bit more of an overview of their politics would be really helpful.

L1011

Such a site would be effectively impossible to curate - you likely saw a European or possibly a last General Election site; both of which have a fraction of the candidates.

Many local candidates (including sitting Councillors) have absolutely zero profile online and outside of their local area so you'd have trouble even getting their details to contact the non-sitting ones (except by post) to ask them.

CrabRevolution

As far as I can tell most local candidates don't really have any stances on anything. Even their own election literature just has bland clichés like "fighting for you", "the right experience for the job", "working for the community", "getting the job done" etc.
There might be a few vague promises like "fight cuts to local services" and "help support rural Ireland" but that's as far as it goes.

stefanovich

CrabRevolution wrote: »

As far as I can tell most local candidates don't really have any stances on anything. Even their own election literature just has bland clichés like "fighting for you", "the right experience for the job", "working for the community", "getting the job done" etc.
There might be a few vague promises like "fight cuts to local services" and "help support rural Ireland" but that's as far as it goes.

Fighting for themselves. Promoting their business. Advancing their careers.

man98

CrabRevolution wrote: »

As far as I can tell most local candidates don't really have any stances on anything. Even their own election literature just has bland clichés like "fighting for you", "the right experience for the job", "working for the community", "getting the job done" etc.
There might be a few vague promises like "fight cuts to local services" and "help support rural Ireland" but that's as far as it goes.

To be fair, the councillor's priority is not to be an ideologue but to make sure the needs of constituents are covered. In an election, it is best to look at what the party stands for and against, or in the case of independents to look at their public profiles. If you can't find any clear information on a candidate's stance on something, it's likely that this isn't very important to them. The best thing to do is directly ask the candidate an ope ended question which is in no way a leading question, then see how they answer it, and if it is in any way articulate. Generic 'fighting cuts' or 'support rural Ireland' promises are pointless, you need to ask for some substance.

MattressRick

Bit of a side note but why on earth do the local councils need people to fill out a handwritten form and bring to a Garda station to change address for their voting card?
Surely this could be done like any other normal company like mobile phone providers, fill in your address online and upload a utility bill as proof?

stefanovich

MattressRick wrote: »

Bit of a side note but why on earth do the local councils need people to fill out a handwritten form and bring to a Garda station to change address for their voting card?
Surely this could be done like any other normal company like mobile phone providers, fill in your address online and upload a utility bill as proof?

Ahh but you see if you know a politician they can get your name on there no hassle. No gardai checking your forms or any of that nonsense. Just as long as you vote for them.

Eric Cartman

CrabRevolution wrote: »

As far as I can tell most local candidates don't really have any stances on anything. Even their own election literature just has bland clichés like "fighting for you", "the right experience for the job", "working for the community", "getting the job done" etc.
There might be a few vague promises like "fight cuts to local services" and "help support rural Ireland" but that's as far as it goes.

theres so many special interest groups these days that they want to avoid becoming targets. Having opinions is the worst thing to do in the social media politics age.

MattressRick

stefanovich wrote: »

MattressRick wrote: »

Bit of a side note but why on earth do the local councils need people to fill out a handwritten form and bring to a Garda station to change address for their voting card?
Surely this could be done like any other normal company like mobile phone providers, fill in your address online and upload a utility bill as proof?

Ahh but you see if you know a politician they can get your name on there no hassle. No gardai checking your forms or any of that nonsense. Just as long as you vote for them.

That's not quite answering my question about the logic behind this beurocracy, paperwork, postage which is avoidable in this age of the internet.

man98

MattressRick wrote: »

Bit of a side note but why on earth do the local councils need people to fill out a handwritten form and bring to a Garda station to change address for their voting card?
Surely this could be done like any other normal company like mobile phone providers, fill in your address online and upload a utility bill as proof?

There's a pilot scheme in Dublin where this is all being done online, I would imagine it'll be rolled out in the coming months across the country.

stefanovich

MattressRick wrote: »

That's not quite answering my question about the logic behind this beurocracy, paperwork, postage which is avoidable in this age of the internet.

It's only there for people voting the wrong way.

expectationlost

possibly spotty but https://candidates.ie/

L1011

expectationlost wrote: »

possibly spotty but https://candidates.ie/

Not "possibly" spotty, "uselessly" spotty.

Has only the FF candidates in my MD, just the SocDem in one neighbouring and just the Green in another.

You have to pay to write anything beyond your social media accounts so realistically its no better than a local newspaper list.

expectationlost

dublin city less spotty https://dublininquirer.com/projects/elections/2019-local

blanch152

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/sinn-fin-activist-makes-unreserved-apology-to-fine-gael-councillor-over-comments-posted-on-facebook-38118301.html

A leopard can't change his spots. This time though, the online activity of Sinn Fein supporters went too far.

blackwhite

Is there a listing available anywhere of what current Councillors voted to nominate Gemma O'Doherty for President? (thinking that someone like Adrian Kavanagh might have built up a list)

Would be good to know who to avoid giving any preferences to.


She was kind enough to let us all know the Oirechtas members who lent her support at the time

https://twitter.com/gemmaod1/status/1044919051229835264

McMurphy

Only for the scourge of electoral placards that are absolutely souring the landscape you'd be forgiven for thinking that this election had been cancelled.

I've had only the one lad darken my door, a young up and coming FFer with his dad (and that was a few weeks ago). I liked the cut of his jib in fairness, but know next to nothing about him.

Seems like the candidates have either gotten lazy, or are relying on social media these days.

blackwhite

3 callers to our door since campaigning began. One FF and one Lab candidate, and one "helper" from PBP whilst the candidate was knocking on other doors.

Got quite the mountain of leaflets in the door yesterday though.




We also have an unusual situation in that a SF councillor lives on our street a couple of doors up, but doesn't actually run for our LEA. Assuming she's registered where she lives (and no reason to think she isn't), then she doesn't actually get to vote for herself.

L1011

Labour (candidate) and FG (retired councillor canvassing) for me, and a sorry-you-were-out card from Fidelma Healy Eames canvassers. Missed the doorbell once which could have been anyone or not election related all

Definitely the lowest number in years

Itssoeasy

It seems that's it's mostly leaflets people are seeing than candidates which is the same for me. I've more leaflets from candidates running that I've never heard of before and likely won't after Friday. I've had one labour candidate call on a Saturday and one FG guy I know well so wasn't really him trying to canvas me it was more of a friendly chat.

McMurphy

Itssoeasy wrote: »

It seems that's it's mostly leaflets people are seeing than candidates which is the same for me. I've more leaflets from candidates running that I've never heard of before and likely won't after Friday. I've had one labour candidate call on a Saturday and one FG guy I know well so wasn't really him trying to canvas me it was more of a friendly chat.

I was with a customer yesterday on the Kildare/Wicklow border, and I'm not joking you, but the man had about forty (easily) leaflets from about THREE candidates. All delivered yesterday by the postman he said.

The only other literature I seen was a flyer for a Kings oil petrol station in amongst the rest of the election stuff.

And they were all addressed to him or his wife.

Absolutely shameful waste of paper and money.

blanch152

Johnny Dogs wrote: »

I was with a customer yesterday on the Kildare/Wicklow border, and I'm not joking you, but the man had about forty (easily) leaflets from about THREE candidates. All delivered yesterday by the postman he said.

The only other literature I seen was a flyer for a Kings oil petrol station in amongst the rest of the election stuff.

And they were all addressed to him or his wife.

Absolutely shameful waste of paper and money.

His name wouldn't be Pat O'Connor?

McMurphy

blanch152 wrote: »

His name wouldn't be Pat O'Connor?

No, neither the candidate nor customers name was Pat O'Connor.

expectationlost

blackwhite wrote: »

Is there a listing available anywhere of what current Councillors voted to nominate Gemma O'Doherty for President? (thinking that someone like Adrian Kavanagh might have built up a list)

Would be good to know who to avoid giving any preferences to.


She was kind enough to let us all know the Oirechtas members who lent her support at the time

https://twitter.com/gemmaod1/status/1044919051229835264

which council?

blackwhite

expectationlost wrote: »

which council?

She presented herself to a number of councils, and even in the councils where she didn't succeed there were councillors who supported her.

She received a nomination from Laois.
https://www.thejournal.ie/gemma-odoherty-2-4251324-Sep2018/

Earlier today, Laois Today reported that four councillors voted for her nomination and thirteen abstained while two were absent.

The outlet reported that Cllrs Caroline Dwane Stanley (SF), Ben Brennan (Ind), Aidan Mullins (SF) and Paschal McEvoy (FF) each voted for O’Doherty

However, even in the councils where she failed to win a nomination, there were plenty of councillors who voted for her

Cork County Council voted against nominating O’Doherty today by a margin of five in favour, 28 against and six abstentions.

And don't forget those Oireachtas members who signed her nomination papers as well

Joan Collins, Clare Daly, Mick Wallace, Catherine Connolly, Michael Fitzmaurice, Sean Canney, Tommy Broughan, Seamus Healy, Maureen O’Sullivan, Mattie McGrath and Ronan Mullen

https://twitter.com/gemmaod1/status/1044919051229835264

expectationlost

blackwhite wrote: »

She presented herself to a number of councils, and even in the councils where she didn't succeed there were councillors who supported her.

She received a nomination from Laois.
https://www.thejournal.ie/gemma-odoherty-2-4251324-Sep2018/




However, even in the councils where she failed to win a nomination, there were plenty of councillors who voted for her







And don't forget those Oireachtas members who signed her nomination papers as well



https://twitter.com/gemmaod1/status/1044919051229835264

in which council do you want to be sure to not give GOD nominators a preference?

blackwhite

expectationlost wrote: »

in which council do you want to be sure to not give GOD nominators a preference?

My own council decided not to hold a vote to nominate anyone - I'm wondering if there's a resource anywhere that lists them across other councils

L1011

L1011 wrote: »

Labour (candidate) and FG (retired councillor canvassing) for me, and a sorry-you-were-out card from Fidelma Healy Eames canvassers. Missed the doorbell once which could have been anyone or not election related all

Definitely the lowest number in years

Greens came around, canvasser but in a branded jacket etc. That's very likely to be it now I think.

Labour, FF, Green - all the candidates - (and Healy Eames canvassers) for the Euros) have done the train station which is the usual way to get a large audience in one location here.

jk23

I would urge anyone thinking of voting Labour to remember alan Kelly and Joan Burton in government and Burton comments on smart phones and her personal assistants comments on the ordinary people.

The other parties are no better but I will never forget the mismanagement of the Irish people by Labour in their time in government

average_runner

jk23 wrote: »

I would urge anyone thinking of voting Labour to remember alan Kelly and Joan Burton in government and Burton comments on smart phones and her personal assistants comments on the ordinary people.

The other parties are no better but I will never forget the mismanagement of the Irish people by Labour in their time in government

Surely FF did alot worst!!!

Fan of Netflix

I reckon Fine Gael will increase their vote and become the top party. Fianna Fail probably also do around the same as last time. The others can't compare with their ground game. And I have no time for either party.

Sinn Fein lose seats. Aontu probably gain seats. Labour about the same. Greens gains. Not sure about others.

jk23

average_runner wrote: »

Surely FF did alot worst!!!

You are right FF were one of the chief causes. However its labour who stuck in my mind because of Burton.

L1011

jk23 wrote: »

The other parties are no better but I will never forget the mismanagement of the Irish people by Labour in their time in government

Look at how "competently" FG are coping on their own - the mismanagement wasn't coming from Labour.

Alan Kelly was handed a burning dumpster fire by Phil Hogan (FG) who swanned off to Brussels.