Make sure you’re registered to vote

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is encouraging young people in County Clare to make sure they are registered to vote before the deadline for inclusion on the electoral register on Friday, November 25.

“We are especially anxious to ensure that the 1,658 young people who have turned 18 in the last 12 months in 1658 are included in the electoral register and will be in a position to exercise their democratic right to vote should any elections or referendums take place in the coming year,” stated James Doorley, NYCI deputy director.

Any young person who is 18 years of age on or before February 15, 2017 next is eligible for inclusion in this updated voters list.

“The draft voters list was published on November 1 and is available at local council offices, post offices, Garda stations and is available online at checktheregister.ie. The reality is that the vast majority of young people who turned 18 in the nine months since the General Election in February 2016 will not be registered to vote. If you are not currently registered, you must fill in a RFA1 form and send it to your relevant local authority by November 25 next to be added to the register,” added Mr Doorley.

It is also possible for people already registered who have recently moved address or constituency to change their details and this can be done on the RFA1 form which must also be completed and returned by November 25th next.

“The amended Register of Electors comes into force on February 15 next. While it is possible to get added to the voters list even after this November deadline, getting on the so-called supplementary electoral register is more time consuming as it requires that the form is brought to and stamped at a Garda station.