The Electoral Commission is urging a review of listing candidates’ complete home addresses on ballots, citing concerns over individuals’ privacy and security.
Today the Commission published a Research Report and its Recommendations Paper on the issue following a period of research.
Under the Electoral Act 1992, anyone standing for election to the Dáil or other positions must give an address on the nomination paper, and this address then appears on the ballot paper.
After reviewing the reasons for the existing system, along with concerns about safety, privacy, and the arguments for change, the new Research Report sets out a number of proposals aimed at keeping the advantages of providing a candidate’s address while reducing the associated safety and privacy risks.
“The research arose from concerns that the inclusion of a candidate’s address on the ballot paper can give rise to safety and privacy risks for candidates, their families, or others with whom they may reside,” the Commission said in a statement.
“For example, this concern was raised by the Oireachtas Taskforce in its Report on Safe Participation in Political Life and in submissions to An Coimisiún.”
The Commission is now recommending that the government reform the system so that the nomination paper require candidates to supply two addresses – one which is simply for behind-the-scenes administrative purposes, and a secondary one which will actually appear in public on the ballot paper and official websites.
They recommend three potential options; a full address, a partial address, or simply the general area that the candidate is from (e.g. the electoral area or electoral division).
There are also recommendations made to facilitate homeless candidates who may not have an address to be able to run for public office.
Ms. Justice Marie Baker, Supreme Court Judge and Chairperson of the Commission, said she was “delighted” with the report.
“I am delighted today that we publish this Research Report, and I commend to the Minister and to Government recommendations arising from our deliberations,” she said.
“An Coimisiún notes with disquiet the evidence in the Report regarding harassment, abuse or intimidation directed at electoral candidates, public representatives and their staff and families.
“While we recommend changes to ballot paper address requirements as a response to concerns on these issues, we believe the issue requires a broader response and would encourage all relevant stakeholders to reflect and take appropriate action, as these threats are an affront to the health of our democracy.”
Meanwhile, Art O’Leary, Chief Executive of the Commission, outlined the rationale for the policy historically.
“The requirement for candidates to provide an address has been part of our democratic tradition since before the foundation of the State,” he said.
“For generations, it has stood as a symbol of openness and accountability – a reminder that those who seek public office do so in full view of the people they wish to serve.
“Having listened to the voices of political actors, candidates and their families, and looked carefully at how candidates’ addresses are shared and used, An Coimisiún believes that these proposed reforms honour both our tradition and the real world in which we now live.
“They safeguard the integrity of the nomination process, they ensure that voters continue to have the information they need, and they reflect a deep understanding of the challenges and pressures faced by today’s candidates.
“In this way, we continue to strengthen our democracy – protecting not only the right to vote, but also the courage of those who stand before the people.”