Questions?

All forms must be sent to the person’s local authority offices. The address is on the back of the main registration form (RFA).

If forms have been completed prior to November 1st the draft register can be checked and the main registration form (RFA1) can be completed before November 25th. If a person’s name is not included when the full register is published on February 1st they can complete the supplementary to the Register of Electors form (RFA2). This is the form that needs to be witnessed by a Garda and can be completed up to 15 days before the polling date.

The Voter Registration form (RFA) is available from Local Authority offices, local libraries, post offices or Garda Stations. The form can also be downloaded from your local authority website.

Yes everyone aged 18 years and upwards who is living in Ireland can register to vote. However people who are seeking asylum and other non EU citizens are allowed to vote in Local elections only. Citizens from other EU countries who are living in Ireland can vote in the Local and European Elections, British citizens can vote in all elections except for the Presidential Election and referendums. Once a person becomes a citizen they can vote in every election and referendum. The qualifying date for citizenship is the 1st September preceding the coming into force of the register.

The latest time for registering using the Supplementary to the Register of Electors(RFA2) is 15 days before polling date.

The draft register for is published on November 1st. If someone is not on the register or has never registered they can register by the deadline of November 25th. If there are any error or omissions in the draft they should be notified immediately to the registration authority. The final register is published on February 1st and this register comes into force on February 15th of the following year and is used for each election in the following 12 months. However people can be included up to 15 days before a polling date if they are 18 on or before polling day and are not already registered at another address.

If the deadline of November 25th is missed, people can complete another application Form (RFA2) – this is called the Supplementary to the Register of Electors. This form must be signed in the presence of a Garda. The Garda will need to be satisfied as to the person’s identity, so photographic identification may be required. The form can then be returned to the local authority for their area. This form must be received at least 15 days before the polling date in order for a person to be registered to vote.

So in effect people will be able to register for the next election or referendum, up to 15 days before the polling date.

Voting allows each of us to have our Voice heard.

The register can be checked at the local authority offices, local library, post office,Garda Station or www.checktheregister.ie . A person must be at least 18 years of age on the day the register comes into force, for the next register - that is February 15th. All residents of Ireland aged 18 and upward are entitled to be on the register. Persons living at home who are unable to go to a polling station to vote because of a disability can apply for a postal vote by November 25th, this needs to be certified by a doctor. An elector registered as a postal voter may vote by post only and not at a polling station.

People with a physical illness or disability living in hospitals, nursing homes or other institutions can apply to go on the Special Voters list again by November 25th. The illness or disability must be likely to continue for the duration of the register and - in the case of a first time application- must be accompanied by a medical certificate.

Electors on the Special Voters list vote at the hospital or nursing home where they are residing by marking a ballot paper delivered to them y a special presiding officer accompanied by a Garda.

If a person is currently on the register and has moved, the main registration form (RFA1) can be completed up to November 25th. There is a question on the main registration form asking is a person has moved during the past year to give their name and former address. If it is later than November 25th, supplementary change of address form (RFA3) must be completed and this also needs to be witnessed by a Garda and must be received at least 15 days before the polling date in order for the Person to be registered to vote. To be included in the supplement following a change of address, a person must be already on the register at their previous address and resident at the address at which they now wish to be registered.