Get Ready to Vote (or to Get Elected)

Interested in local politics? Then take note of these two important dates.

1. Voter registration deadline

Ahead of the local elections that will take place next May (2019), all people who intend to vote must be registered by Friday November 23rd, 2018. If you or any of your group’s members wish to vote in the May elections, it is important that you add your name to the electoral register (the list of registered voters in Ireland).

Resident Irish citizens are entitled to vote at all elections.

Registering is relatively simple but can be time consuming, so if you wish to vote, it is recommended that you register as soon as you can.

There are two steps to follow.

1. First, you need to pick up a relevant form and fill it in. Forms can be picked up from any library, council offices or post offices. Alternatively, you can download and print an English-language form online, at www.checktheregister.ie/appforms%5CRFA_English_Form.pdf 
2. Once your form is filled out, you need to send it back to the Franchise Office in your local authority (meaning your city or county council) before the deadline for receipt of applications. Though officially, the deadline for completed forms is Sunday November 25th, this is a weekend day. As such, make sure that your completed form is received by Friday November 23rd. 

Not sure if you’re registered to vote already? You can check the electoral register at www.checktheregister.ie.

If you’d like some further reading in other languages than English, Dublin City Council also provides a list of information leaflets in other languages, which may be useful. You can find those here: www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-your-council/register-vote#leaflets

Being a part of the political system is one of the best ways for us to empower ourselves, so remember to get out and vote.

2. A Workshop for People Who Want to Run for Election

Want to run for election?

The Immigrant Council of Ireland is currently organising a workshop for people who are seriously interested in running for office in Ireland. You don’t need a lot of experience to take advantage. This workshop will include practical advice and training on how to become an election candidate and how to run an election campaign.

The session will be in Dublin and will take place on Saturday November 17th. Are you interested in attending? If so, I encourage you to contact Joe O’Brien at the Immigrant Council of Ireland before the end of Friday October 26th. His email is joe@immigrantcouncil.ie. 

The better we, as migrants, are represented in local politics, the stronger our voice is.

If you need any help at all with any of the information above, NCP is also here to assist in any way we can. You can find our contact information (phone, email etc.) here: www.newcommunities.ie/contact/