COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 11, 2010

MOTION NO.4

MOTION: Councillor J. Hannon

That this Council requests the Minister for the Environment & Local Government to extend the postal voting provision to citizens who are unable to be physically present at the polling station due to absence by reason of holiday or illness.

REPORT:

Postal voting is provided for in respect of certain categories of person as specified in electoral law.   The Electoral Act 1992 provides for postal voting for members of the Gardai, wholetime members of the Defence Forces, and Irish Diplomats (and their spouces) serving abroad.    Subsequent legislation enacted has extended postal voting to other categories as follows:

- electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or disability which endures for the currency of the register. (Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996)

- electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station (Electoral Act 1997)

- fulltime students registered at their home who are living elsewhere whiule attending an education institution in the State ( Electoral Act 1997)

- persons employed by a returning offficer and registered to vite in a constituency other than the one where they are employed (Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001)

- prisioners (Electoral (Amendment) Act 2006 )

If the motion is passed a letter will issue to the Minister for the Environment Heritage & Local Government and the members will be circulated with a copy of the Minister's response once received.