Cork city councillors urge widening of postal voting eligibility

Cork City Council is to write to the Electoral Commission to suggest widening eligibility for postal voting in future elections.

The council unanimously passed a motion by Labour Party councillor Laura Harmon “to request the Electoral Commission to allow the expansion of postal voting in all elections outside of the narrow current guidelines”.

Currently, the majority of voters have to vote in person at an official voting centre.

Postal voting is allowed for Irish diplomats posted abroad, or their spouse or civil partner who is living abroad with them, or a whole-time member of the Defence Forces. 

Additionally, a person could be eligible for a postal vote if they cannot go to a polling station because they have an illness or a disability, or they are studying full time at an educational institution in Ireland which is away from the home address where they are registered.

If a person cannot vote at their local polling station because of their occupation, service, or employment, they are a member of An Garda Síochána, or they are in prison, they could also be eligible for a postal vote. 

For the 2024 general election, the deadline to register for the postal or special voters list expired last Sunday.

“I meet so many people telling me they can’t vote as they are away visiting family abroad or had holidays planned,” Ms Harmon told The Echo. 

“Because the general election dates aren’t fixed, it’s hard for people to plan ahead and I know many people who would use a postal vote if they could."

Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch said: “Postal voting for certain categories of employment is a well-established feature of our electoral system that works well. There is no reason why it should not be expanded as an option for all voters.” 

Social Democrats councillor Pádraig Rice said: “We need to make it easier for people to cast their vote."