Cork County Council to tackle problem of polling cards being sent to dead people

Cork County Council is to address the problem of polling cards being sent to people who have died.

There have been numerous complaints from councillors, who say the problem occurs far too often and is avoidable.

The issue first emerged during the last local elections, occurred again during the general election, and most recently happened during the presidential election.

Councillors say they have repeatedly received complaints from distraught families after each election, upset at receiving polling cards addressed to dead loved ones. In several cases, the cards were sent to people who had been dead for a number of years.

The issue of polling cards being issued to deceased people was raised at a recent council meeting by Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Donovan. He called on the local authority to launch a media campaign early in the new year, urging people who receive polling cards for deceased relatives to contact the council to have their names permanently removed from the register.

In the meantime, he said the families should contact the council directly.

Mr Donovan said: “After the presidential election, I got a lot of calls from people who got polling cards sent to deceased members of their family.

“It is very upsetting for them. I know it (the electoral register) will never be absolutely perfect, but it will help us to keep it tidied up.”

Fianna Fail councillor Gobnait Moynihan added: “I think we were all very aware, before and after the elections, of how inaccurate our register is.”

Complaints are also common about polling cards being sent to incorrect addresses, while some voters receive cards at more than one address.

Divisional manager Sharon Corcoran said staff in the council’s franchise office are carrying out data cleansing, in preparation for the new national online register of electors, due to be rolled out by the end of spring 2026.

Ms Corcoran said: “In addition, the register of electors is being updated, based on amendment sheets submitted by the electorate over recent months, the majority of which relate to deceased family members.

“Once these amendments have been made in quarter one of 2026, consideration can be given to initiating a media campaign.”

Separately, the council is engaging with youth groups to encourage young people to register to vote.