No Voting Cards,Help!

HBC08

As the title says,no voting cards arrived for myself or my wife.

We are definitely on the register and this has never happened before.

I was thinking we might just present ourselves with passports at the voting Station?

Anybody know what to do in this situation?

Thanks!

tom_k

If you're on the register you don't need polling cards to vote. Bring ID as you had intended. See here:

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government-in-ireland/elections-and-referenda/voting/voting-in-a-local-election/#87e1cb

banie01

You are right in regards to what to do. My family are in the same boat, no polling cards received despite being registered. It has happened previously so I know what way it's handled.

The process is attend your polling booth with appropriate ID and you can then vote as normal.

HildaOgdenx

As long as you are on the register, it's absolutely fine.

I'm sure there are people who forget to bring the polling card on the day, mislay it, or like yourselves, it didn't arrive for some reason.

Bring along your ID, as you have mentioned doing.

Sam Russell

You need ID, preferable with a photo - passport ideal, plus proof of address - utility bill or Gov communication - showing address.

The polling cards may have been misdelivered.

RichT

ID and proof of address should be OK.

Did you receive the countless numbers of election 'rubbish' that was addressed to you? The voting cards are the same size as those small rectangular things that should have been coming through your door the last few weeks or so, and could have been thrown out with them.

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058354801/no-voting-cards-help

Mine was in the middle of a pile of voting spam that came in my letterbox one morning (about 8 leaflets), and I was just about to toss the lot in the bin when I noticed the card in the middle, so maybe that happened to you OP?

HBC08

Thanks for the answers on here.

That's good news,do you need proof of address though?

Neither my passport or driving licence have my current address on them.

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122225974#Comment_122225974

This is quite possible as we came home from holidays to a mountain of leaflets which went straight in the bin.

Gregor Samsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122225977#Comment_122225977

You don't need proof of address if you use a driving licence or passport as your ID.

You only need proof of address if you use one of the following as your ID:

• A cheque book
• A credit card or debit card
• A birth or marriage certificate

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government-in-ireland/elections-and-referenda/voting/voting-in-a-local-election/#87e1cb

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122225999#Comment_122225999

My drivers licence has my previous address on it.

Hopefully that won't be a problem.

Brussels Sprout

For many people they came quite late this year. Mine arrived yesterday and my sister's arrived on Tuesday

HildaOgdenx

Like another poster, I stopped just short of putting mine in the recycling bin. It was in the middle of various candidates leaflets.

BobMc

I havent used my poling card in years, I know which booth and what school and they just find your name on the list, bring ID

beachhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122226001#Comment_122226001

In that case bring passport and a utility bill or also,you have your driving licence in your wallet as back up.I guess its the old plastic coated type D L - have seen them about.Maybe the staff there know you?

Gregor Samsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122226001#Comment_122226001

Bring a utility bill with your current address if you're concerned, but I don't believe they'll check the address on your driving licence. It's to confirm your identity, not your address. There's plenty of documents/cards on the valid ID (Passport, PSC, work ID card, Student Card, etc) list that don't include your address at all, and you don't need any address confirmation to use them.

Again, the instructions are:

+++++++++++++++++

You can bring any one of the following with you to prove your identity:

• A passport (either a passport card or passport book)
• A driving licence
• A Public Services Card
• A workplace identity card (it must have a photograph)
• A student identity card (it must have a photograph)
• A travel document (it must have a photograph)
• A bank or credit union account book with your name and address in the constituency (voting area)
• Irish Residence Permit

If you do not have any of the above, you can use one of the following, along with evidence of your address:

• A cheque book
• A credit card or debit card
• A birth or marriage certificate

If you use one of the above, you must also have proof of your address in the constituency such as a utility bill (electric, gas, internet).

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122226311#Comment_122226311

No paper folding licences are valid anymore, they started on plastic card in early 2014 so even the first plastic ones are expired.

Manach

In a similar position to OP, re: voting cards. Unsure why this is seemly so widespread in this election cycle?

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122226786#Comment_122226786

I think it's been well answered in here and thanks to all who replied.

You don't need a polling card,just ID.

Funnily enough i just heard an ad on the radio confirming same.

Sam Russell

I looked at my voting card.

No where on it does it say VOTING CARD. The reverse is blank, so plenty of room to put Voting card on it. Who designed this card?

Cluedo Monopoly

I have never brought a polling card to the polling station. Just ID.

Once the clerks find your name on the register, all is good.

28064212

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122227775#Comment_122227775

It's not a voting card. It is a polling information card

GerardKeating

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058354801/no-voting-cards-help

Double check online that you are still on the register, and then go to Poling Station, with ID and proof of address.

Go early in case someone else tries something "funny".

Sam Russell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122229596#Comment_122229596

Nor does it say "Polling information Card". It just is covered in very small print in Irish and English, with polling information printed on it. It could easily be mistaken for rubbish.

Why not have a clear heading on it saying what it is?

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122229626#Comment_122229626

I'd double check; that as I'm quite sure it does actually say that on it. Albeit mine is at home so I can't check right now.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122226855#Comment_122226855

i think the question being asked was why there was a failure to send out cards, rather than what to do if you don't get one.

gipi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122229644#Comment_122229644

Just looking at my own card - there's no heading or title to indicate that it's a polling or voting card.

There is a heading "evidence of identity" with info below, same in Irish, then my name and address, voter number and polling station.

To be honest, if I hadn't done all this before, I might not recognise the voting card as something I needed (in the midst of all the election junk mail).

Gregor Samsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122229644#Comment_122229644

I have mine here. There's no heading. The reverse is blank.

It's fine if you know what it is and are expecting it, but in my opinion it's poorly designed.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122229738#Comment_122229738

It normally does say that - that's the only way I'm aware its called a "Polling Information Card". Looks like someones screwed up

I presume each council prints their own so maybe mine does still have it; but I'd expect not as I'd also presume the card stock is ordered nationally.

magicbastarder

mine doesn't have it, dublin city council area.

Gregor Samsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122229746#Comment_122229746

The example on the Electoral Commission's website is the exact same layout, so I doubt there's regional varations.

https://www.electoralcommission.ie/where-to-vote/

There used to be a different format alright that did have the heading "Polling Information Card". I found this online from someone posting it in 2020. It was the old paper version that had the perforations that you tore open. Current one is one-sided light cardboard. I can't remember what was sent for the referenda in March.