Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
264. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to change the requirement for those seeking a postal vote on medical or disability grounds to have their application form certified by a medical practitioner, as this is costing €60 to €70 (details supplied). [30479/23]
View answerLocal authorities, in their capacity as registration authorities, are responsible for the management and maintenance of the electoral register.
Under the provisions introduced under Part III of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, rolling or continuous electoral registration (in contrast to the former annual registration process) means that people can register or update their details, including by submitting postal vote applications at any time of year up to the usual deadlines in advance of an electoral event.
Applications for a postal vote due to illness or disability must be certified by a registered medical practitioner to enable the registration authority consider and be satisfied that the applicant is unable to attend their polling station to vote on polling day due to their illness or disability as provided for under Section 14(d) of the Electoral Act 1992 as amended. The certifying medical practitioner no longer needs to provide the nature of the illness or disability, but can indicate an expected duration, which the registration authority will have regard to when assigning a postal voting arrangement. This means that for those people with longer term or ongoing issues, annual renewal will not necessarily be required.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future contains a commitment to mandate the Electoral Commission, known as An Coimisiún Toghcháin, to examine the use of postal voting, with a view to expanding its provision. An Coimisiún Toghcháin, which was established on 9 February 2023, will be requested to carry out research in respect of this matter in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9 of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022. Any reform of electoral law concerning postal voting generally will have regard to the outcome of this work.
