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Electoral Process

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Ceisteanna (587)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

587. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made in implementing the Constitutional Convention recommendation from 2013 that measures be taken to improve voter turnout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32551/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I see a strong voter turnout at electoral events as being of key importance in our society and there are a number of initiatives already in place to support this.

In the first instance, my Department promotes greater awareness of the register of electors and encourages people to register to vote through an annual public awareness campaign. This entails the use of promotional posters, social media and the taking out of both newspaper and on-line advertisements. This campaign takes place each year between 1 November and 25 November and was recently launched for the 2021 register. The social media element is a coordinated, pro-active online campaign that seeks to engage various sectors and audiences, encouraging people to check their voter details on the register of electors. My Department has also undertaken initiatives to encourage other segments of the population to exercise their right to vote. For example, in advance of the local and European Elections in 2019, my Department worked with the Immigrant Council of Ireland in a publicity campaign aimed at providing information and encouraging immigrants to register to vote.

In the case of referendums, the role of any Referendum Commission established for a particular referendum includes the promotion of public awareness of the referendum and the encouragement of the electorate to vote at the poll.

Looking to the future, the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - commits to the establishment of an Electoral Commission. It is intended that the new Commission will have a public awareness and education role in respect of electoral events, and will be tasked with the development of means to increase participation in our political processes. The Programme for Government commits to the Electoral Commission being in place by the end of 2021 and my Department is currently preparing the General Scheme of an Electoral Reform Bill in order to progress this initiative.

The Programme for Government also commits to the modernisation of the electoral register. While the current electoral registration system has served the country well, it is clear that modernisation will bring significant benefits, in particular by making the process more streamlined and accessible through optional online registration. As part of this wider modernisation initiative, one of the proposals being considered is provision for the pre-registration of 16 and 17 year-olds. This pre-registration would then become automatically active on a person’s 18th birthday. This proposal would also provide opportunities, such as the development of a schools programme, for young people to engage with the electoral register thereby improving the chances of their engagement post-18 when they become eligible to vote.

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