Vol. 510 No. 6
33 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he intends to bring forward to address the issue of low voter turnouts at elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23390/99]
The tendency in recent years towards declining voter participation in the political process was further highlighted by the disappointing turnout at the recent Dublin South Central by-election. The problem of low turnouts is a complex issue that has given rise to a wide range of theories to explain it.
Disillusionment with the political system, tribunal revelations, decline in party appeal, policy convergence between the political parties, the pursuit of consensus politics, days and times of polls, the holding of a number of polls on the same day, the feel good factor and the strong economy are all likely contributory factors. The National Youth Council of Ireland report, "Voting at the Crossroads", which I recently launched, also highlighted a range of reasons for young people not voting, including examinations, being away during elections and not being registered to vote. It is likely to be a combination of some or all of the factors to which I have referred and probably many more. However, workable solutions tend to be more difficult to find. In this context "Voting at the Crossroads" is a valuable contribution to the debate. The recommendations and solutions contained in that report are varied and innovative and will be fully considered by my Department.
Registration and electoral procedures are under regular review in the Department and there have been developments over the years, including the streamlining of the registration process, the introduction of supplements, the extension of postal voting and the use of photographs on ballot papers. Work is also ongoing on a number of other areas. The recommendations of the Oireachtas joint committee in the context of its examinations on the institutions of the State will provide a basis for an informed public debate on our electoral system and the scope for reform. The Government is also committed to examining the various methods of providing information at referendums, including the role of the Referendum Commission.
With regard to the issue of making it easier to vote, two areas are being examined along with the regular review I referred to. First, my Department is examining the question of extending the use of photographs on ballot papers to presidential, Dáil and local elections in the light of the experience of the European elections in June. Second, a review of the possibility of introducing electronic voting and counting is under way in the Department.
Additional Information
Clearly, we need to continually examine and remove any unnecessary impediments to greater participation by all persons in the political system and to explore new ways of encouraging people to participate. I welcome debate on the issue and, in particular, any recommendations and suggestions as to how we can arrest and reverse the decline in voter participation, which continues to be a major challenge for everyone involved in the political process, both in this country and in other western democracies.
The National Youth Council of Ireland report, "Voting at the Crossroads", states that 73 per cent of young people who did not vote in the last European and local elections did not do so because they were unable to because of such factors as work commitments, being away or not being registered. These are positive reasons and they could be improved on. The recent by-election was held on a Wednesday, yet to hold a vote on a Wednesday between 8.00 a.m. and 9 p.m. is unrealistic in this day and age. Banks open on Saturdays, churches provide masses on Saturday evenings and supermarkets are open all day every day.
Is it not time that polling booths were opened on Saturdays and Sundays? There may be an election within the next 12 months and we will be left floundering again, wondering if polling day should be at the weekend, on a Friday or a Wednesday. Will the Minister give a firm commitment to consider having polling days at weekends, both on Saturdays and Sundays? Sunday is a day of rest when people will have time to go to the polling booths. We must do everything we can to encourage democracy and to encourage people to vote, not make it difficult for them.
I am not convinced that weekend voting will make a huge difference to voter turnout. I have information before me regarding the various presidential, general, local and European elections which have been held on all days from Tuesday to Friday, inclusive. The only significant factor to emerge is not the day of the vote but the extent to which the electorate is engaged with the election or the issues involved. Turnout figures vary from 44 per cent to 73 per cent or 74 per cent for the 1987 general election. The times during which polling stations were open has also varied. Not very long ago it was suggested by all, including myself, that Friday would suit many more people on the basis that students would be home from colleges and so on. Yet, the turnout on Fridays has been no better than on Tuesdays.
With regard to voting on Saturdays and Sundays, when the report "Voting at the Crossroads" was published I said we had consulted with the various Churches. All, except two very small minority Churches, said they would have strong reservations or be opposed to Sunday voting. I have sympathy with the point of view that Sunday should be a day or rest. Were an election to be held on a Sunday during the summer and the turnout was between 45 per cent and 50 per cent I would have to answer questions and be asked if I was not aware that people attend football matches, go away with their families or whatever. While Saturday voting is worth considering, Sun day voting would be a disaster in terms of voter turnout, apart from the religious aspect.
Sunday is very successful for the supermarkets.
