Move to 'drastically improve' voter registration in Cork

Events will be held at venues in Cork city and Bandon on National Voter Registration Day next week in a bid to drastically improve the number of people registered to vote in forthcoming elections.

The primary goals of the campaign, which sees events being held in Cork on Wednesday, are to ensure everyone eligible to vote is registered, inform under-represented and disadvantaged communities, and make young people aware of their right to vote and how to register. The campaign is also aimed at promoting active citizenship and participation in the democratic process.

The National Voter Registration Day events in Cork will take place in Cork City Library, Grand Parade, from 11am to 3pm; St Peter’s on North Main St from 12pm to 3pm, and in Bandon at Weir St from 10am until 3pm.

The focus of the committee running the events is to increase greater political participation among minority groups and young people across the country.

They have pointed out that many people find themselves unable to vote during every election cycle because they have missed a registration deadline, have not updated their registration, or are unaware of how to register.

According to Lillian Fernandez, leadership officer at the National Women’s Council, things are “slowly improving” but there is still a “lack of knowledge about voter rights in Ireland and Cork”.

“This has an impact on civic engagement and representation in Irish politics,” said Ms Fernandez.

“This year we are continuing to collaborate with the Electoral Commission (An Coimisiún Toghcháin), local authorities, PPNs, civil society organisations, and community leaders across the country to inform minorities and young people of their political rights, educate them on the roles of the president of Ireland, TDs and local councillors, the functions of our political institutions, and how to register to vote.”

Brian Hearne, policy and communications officer with the Irish Council for International Students, said that engagement was happening with a wide range of groups and organisations, “gathering support around Cork for this year’s National Voter Registration Day”.

“For example, many migrants who have been recently naturalised, need to be aware of updating their citizenship status at checktheregister.ie to be able to vote in the upcoming presidential election,” he said. “Also, other migrants who do not have Irish citizenship are unaware that they can vote in local elections.”