FAQ | Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

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Electoral Services

I cannot find my name through the search facility on your website...

In order to comply with Data Protection regulations, our system is set up to only confirm exact details that are inputted on the query page.

Have you highlighted the correct townland from the drop down list?

Have you tried to search for your details by entering your Eircode?

Have you entered your full Christian name and surname e.g., Anthony McVeigh could be entered as Tony McVeigh?

The entries on the register are what is put on your form, some electors have a given name but go by another name e.g., Margaret but is known as Peggy.

You could have put Patrick on your form and are searching under Paddy or Pat.

Surnames beginning with O’Reilly, McMahon/Mac or Irish names could have spaces or fada’s e.g., Ó Bradaigh or Uί Bhroin.

Hyphenated names could have a space or a hyphen.

Why was my name taken off the Register?

During the summer months an RFA form is delivered to householders for completion and returned to us so the register can be updated. If you are not included on this form your name will be removed from the Register as only persons listed as ordinarily residing at this address are included on the Register.

I will be 18 years of age after the Register comes into force on 15th February but will be 18 years of age before Polling Day, can I be included on the Register?

You can apply to be included on a Supplement to the Register by completing a Supplement Application Form (RFA2), having the form witnessed at a Garda Station and returned to us before the closing date to be included on the supplement.
How can I check the Draft Register?
on voter.ie

By calling the Register Section on 01 2054880

In person at the Council Offices in Dun Laoghaire and Dundrum

In Person at your local library, Post Office or Garda Station
Is there anything I can do if it is Polling Day and I have not received my Polling Card?

Firstly you should contact our office at 01 205 4880 and clarify that you are registered at your correct address and have the correct status/nationality. Once these two details have been confirmed as correct, you can then be given directions to the correct Polling Station in order for you to use your vote.

The location of Polling Stations are updated in the run-up to any election/referendum.

Find My Polling Station

I have a disability - what special arrangements have been put in place for me?

This webpage on gov.ie contains information for voters with disabilities

Form PV2 - Application for postal vote due to illness or disability

Foirm PV2 - Iarratas ar vóta poist de bharr tinnis nó míchumais

Where can I find my Local Polling Station?

The location of Polling Stations are updated in the run-up to any election/referendum.

Find My Polling Station

I sent in a 'Change of Address form' (RFA3) yet I am still listed at my previous address?

Once the Register comes into force on 15^th February each year it cannot be amended.   Your details will be changed in the background and if an election/referendum is called during the life of the Register you will not receive a polling card for your previous address.

I have changed address after the Register came into force on 15th February, can I be included on the Register at my new address if an Election/Referendum is called?

You can apply to be included on a Supplement to the Register by completing a Supplement Application Form (RFA3), having the form witnessed at a Garda Station and returned to us before the closing date to be included on the supplement.

I am on the Register and have now become an Irish Citizen after the Register came into force on 15th February, can my citizenship be changed on the Register if an Election/Referendum is called?

You can complete an application form (RFA5) for inclusion in the Supplement to the Register of Electors, having the form witnessed at a Garda Station and must attach evidence of your Irish citizenship, for example, a copy of your Certificate of Naturalisation or the relevant page in your Irish Passport.

I applied to be included on the Supplement but cannot see myself on line?

The Supplement is only put up on line after the closing date for inclusion.

An Election/Referendum is called and I am not registered, can I vote?

No. You must be on the Register to be able to vote.

What does Election type mean?

Presidential : Resident Irish citizens can vote in Referendum or

                       Presidential Election, Dáil Elections, European

                       Elections and Local Elections.

Dáil:               Resident British citizens (D) can vote in Dáil

                       Elections and Local Elections.

European:     Resident EU citizens (E) can vote in European

                       Elections and Local Elections.

Local:            Resident Non-EU citizens (L) can vote in Local

                        Elections.

*as indicated on the register.

Electoral Reform Act 2022. How has the electoral registration process changed?

The process has been changed to make it easier to use and easier to administer. Many of these changes were provided for in law by the Electoral Reform Act 2022 https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/act/30/enacted/en/pdf
The main changes to the process include:
• Continuous registration – this means that the same process is in place all year around and your record can be updated at any time (up to 15 days before an electoral event).
• Use of PPSNs in the process – in addition to enabling quick and easy online registration, the use of PPSNs will enable basic identity data checks to protect the integrity of the register. It will help local authorities to ensure that the register is accurate and that everyone is only registered once. The data sharing involved in the cross-check with the Department of Social Protection is provided for in the Electoral Reform Act 2022.
• People will be responsible for registering and maintaining their own information – registration authorities will continue to work with their communities to maintain and manage the register with a view to ensuring it is complete and accurate.
• Most people will no longer need to get their forms signed at the local Garda stations.
• The electoral commission – An Coimisiún Toghcháin, will have an oversight role in respect of the electoral register and local authorities will report to it on the work they have done each year to manage and maintain the register. The Commission can make recommendations to local authorities and to the Minister about the register and its process.

I don’t know my Eircode?

If you are unsure of your Eircode, you can search via your address at eircode.ie.

Mura bhfuil tú cinnte faoi d’Éirchód, is féidir do sheoladh a chuardach ag eircode.ie

Why do I need to provide my Eircode?

Your address is required as it affects where you will vote. Providing your Eircode helps to accurately identify your address. To vote, you must be living full time at an address in the State.

What if I have no address?

If you have no address you may still be eligible to apply to vote if you are living in the State and are otherwise eligible. However, in order to provide you with a polling card and other information you will be asked to provide an address where you can receive post. If there is no address where you can receive post the Register of Electors will contact you to arrange for you to collect your polling card at our offices.

In your application, you will need to tell the Register of Electors the address or the area where you spend a substantial amount of your time. This address will affect where you vote.