Voting in the Referendum

You are entitled to vote in the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if

• you are an Irish citizen and
• you are aged 18 or over and
• you are living in Ireland and
• you are on the Electoral Register

The Electoral Register

The Electoral Register is compiled every year by the local authorities (county councils and city councils). It is published on 1 February each year and is valid from 15 February of each year. The current register is valid from 15 February 2008 to 14 February 2009. Copies of the Register are normally available in post offices, public libraries and Garda Stations so you can check there to see if your name is on the register. You can also check online at http://www.checktheregister.ie.

Getting on the Supplemental Register

If your name is not on the register or, if it is on the register but you are no longer living at the place where you are registered, you can get on the Supplemental Register. You should do this immediately.

You need to fill up a form which you can get from your local authority or download:

Form RFA2

: this is for use if you are not on the register at all Download

Form RFA3

: this is for use if you are on the register but you have moved from the address shown on the register Download

You must go to your local Garda Station to have your identity confirmed and the form signed. You should bring photographic identification with you – for example, a passport or a driving licence. You may also be asked for evidence of your address- for example, a utility (gas, electricity) bill. You must sign the form in the presence of a member of the Garda Síochána.

If you cannot go to the Garda Station, you may be able to complete the form at your local authority office – you need similar identification.

If you are unable to go to the Garda Station because you have a physical illness of disability, you may have part of the form completed by your doctor.

Time Limits for the Supplemental Register

In order to get on the Supplemental register in time for the referendum you should the necessary form completed and sent to your local authority before the fourteenth day (Sundays, public holidays and Good Friday excluded) before polling day.

So, if the referendum is to be held on 12 June 2008, you must have you application in to your local authority by 27 May 2008 at the latest.

Postal Vote

You may arrange for a postal vote if:

• You are a member of the Garda Síochána
• You are living at home but you are unable to go to a polling station to vote because of a physical illness or physical disability;
• You are in an occupation which is likely to prevent you from voting at your local polling station on the day of the referendum – this includes full-time students who are registered at home but who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution

The Register of Postal Voters is drawn up at the same time as the Electoral Register. If you are not on the Register of Postal Voters, you may apply to be put on the Postal Voters Supplemental Register in the manner described above.

Voters with Disabilities

People with disabilities have the same voting rights as everyone else. There are arrangements in place to help people with disabilities to actually exercise their right to vote. These arrangements are for people who have a physical disability or a reading or writing disability.

Voting at a different polling station

You may be able to vote at a different polling station if your local station is not accessible. You must apply to the returning officer (the person responsible for the election in the constituency) at least a week before the vote to allow you to vote at a different polling station in the constituency. If this is possible, the returning officer issues you with a written authorisation to vote at the alternative polling station.

Help with voting

In certain circumstances you may be helped to vote, either by a companion or by the presiding officer (the person in charge of the polling station). Your ballot paper may be marked by a companion if you have a visual or other physical disability. Your companion must be at least 16, may not be a candidate or the agent of a candidate and may not help more than two electors at an election.

Special Voters List

The Special Voters list is for people with physical disabilities who are living in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution and who are unable to go to a polling station. The list is compiled at the same time as the Electoral Register. You may apply to be on the Supplemental Special Voters List in the same as you would apply to be on the Ordinary Supplemental Electoral Register.