Postal voting must be extended to include Irish citizens who will be outside of their electoral area on polling day, a Fine Gael TD has said.
The remarks were made in a statement this week by David Stanton TD, who called to ensure that every eligible voter can vote, “regardless of their location on election day.”
“I want to emphasise the importance of enabling all citizens to participate in the electoral process, even if individual circumstances and personal commitments mean that it is not possible to cast a vote on a given day,” he said.
“We have seen the success of postal voting systems in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. These countries provide postal voting for citizens who are away for various reasons, ensuring their voices are heard in national and local elections.
“Currently, Ireland’s postal voting is restricted to specific groups such as students, people with disabilities, diplomats, and members of the Defence Forces. I argue that this system should be expanded to cover all Irish citizens who are temporarily unavailable to vote.”
Stanton went on to say that “positive steps” toward this had already been achieved, including expanding postal voting to people with mental health issues, and the establishment of the Electoral Commission, a.k.a An Coimisiún Toghcháin.
“I have received confirmation that the Government is committed to exploring the expansion of postal voting and awaits recommendations from An Coimisiún Toghcháin’s upcoming research findings,” he said.
“I urge members of Dáil Éireann to consider the positive benefits of such a proposal, which would foster a more inclusive and representative democracy, where every citizen, regardless of their location on polling day, has their say.”
As it stands, most voters in Ireland have to vote in person at an official voting centre.
However, eligible postal voters include Irish diplomats posted abroad, as well as their spouse or civil partner living overseas with them; members of the Irish Defence Forces; members of An Garda Síochana; certain individuals with illnesses or disabilities; students in full-time education away from their voting constituency; and more.
In addition to these, people in prison due to a court order may also vote by postal ballot. No home address is needed for registration, but constituency registration is needed.
Notably, the State-funded Irish Penal Reform Trust urges political parties to canvas prisons and engage with the prison population as they would any other section of the electorate.
“Irish Penal Reform Trust encourages political candidates to distribute their literature/manifestos in prisons through the school, library, and other common areas of the prison,” the group says on their website.
“IPRT also encourages political candidates to visit a prison in or near their constituency.”