COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 10, 2014

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to report on the completion on the new Voting Register for next year and to detail actions taken to ensure the accuracy of the register?

REPLY:

The Draft Register of Electors 2015/16 was published on 1st November following the comprehensive annual review process.

The fieldwork for the annual update of the Register of Electors commenced in June and door-to-door enquiries were carried out. Information received at the door was used to compile the Draft Register. If there was no reply at the door an application form for registration was left at the house for completion by householder. Information received from those electors who applied for inclusion on the supplements to the Register produced for the Local Elections and the Dublin South West bye-election was also used to compile the Draft Register. This door-to-door work is not carried out in all local authorities with the availability of the online facility as explained below. SDCC will be reviewing this in 2015.

The Draft Register is available for checking online at www.checktheregister.ie.  It is also circulated to local Post Offices, Libraries and Garda stations in South Dublin's administrative area. Advertisements are placed in the local papers to this effect.

During the period of 1st November to 25th November members of the public are afforded the opportunity to

a) check whether or not they are on the draft Register

b) amend their information

c) add their details.

If a person finds they are not listed or their details are incorrect they can make a claim to correct the Draft Register.  Claims are submitted on an RFA1 form and must be received by 25th November. Claims are considered and decided on by the county registrar.  The final register will be published on 1st February 2015 and will come into force on 15th February 2015.  This register will then be used for any elections / referenda to be held during the period 15th February 2015 to 14th February 2016.

The objective in compiling the Register of Electors is to ensure that all eligible voters are given an opportunity to participate in the democratic process and a high quality Register of Electors is essential to the successful operations of the electoral system. This authority will continue its work to achieve the highest possible degree of accuracy and comprehensiveness which is dependent on the efficiency and effectiveness of the fieldwork.  

It must be noted that the responsibility for ensuring the right to vote rests with the individual citizen but every opportunity is given during the compilation of the draft Register and the Supplement before a poll to ensure that potential voters have an opportunity to check that they are on the Register.