Electoral and referendum law provides that the date and times of a poll at an election or referendum shall be appointed by order of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. In making an order appointing polling day, the Minister is required to have regard to statutory requirements in relation to the minimum period between the date of the making of the order and polling day, and in the case of presidential and Dáil elections, to the period set out in the Constitution within which such elections must be held. Regard must also be had to practical considerations such as the period of time which elapses between the close of nominations and polling day.
Four different days — Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday — have been appointed as polling day at elections or referenda in the past. There is no indication that the appointment of different days as polling days at different elections or referenda causes confusion to the electorate.
In 1984, the views of the different religious on the question of Sunday voting was sought. The Catholic Church and the Jewish Community indicated that they would have no difficulty with Sunday voting. The Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church and the General Committee of the Methodist Church were generally opposed to Sunday voting. The smaller churches were not consulted at that time.
Under existing law, any day of the week may be appointed as polling day. I have no proposals to amend electoral law to restrict the choice of day or days which may be appointed as polling day.
