Register of Electors

The Register of Electors comes into force on 15^th February each year and remains in force until 14^th February of the following year. The Register is used at each election and referendum held in the succeeding 12 months. In order to be able to vote at an Election or Referendum, a person’s name must be entered on the Register of Electors for the locality in which they ordinarily reside. Being on the Register does not automatically entitle a person to vote in all elections – please see “Voting Rights” below.

Every resident aged 18 and upwards is entitled to be on the Register. A person must be ordinarily resident at the address at which he/she wishes to be registered. Every adult resident in the state is entitled to be registered, their citizenship determines the type of elections they may vote in:

Voting Rights

Referenda Only - Only Irish citizens can vote in referenda, e.g., to vote for or against a proposal to modify the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hEireann).
Presidential Only - Only Irish citizens can vote in Presidential Elections.
Elections for Dail Eireann – Both Irish and British citizens can vote in elections for Dáil Eireann
Elections for the European Parliament – Irish, British and other European Union (EU) citizens can vote in elections for the European Parliament.
Elections for Local Government – Irish, British, EU and non-EU citizens can vote in Local Elections.

Supplement to the Register

If a person is not included in the Register of Electors currently in force, they may apply for entry in the supplement to the Register by completing an RFA2/RFA3 form, whichever is applicable.

Persons entered in the Supplement are entitled to vote at Elections/Referenda held during the duration of the Register in force if they match the criteria. Any individual entered in the Supplement will automatically be entered in the Register of Electors published the following February.

FAQS

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.

If you applied to be included on the Register after 25^th November you will not see yourself on the Live Register on line which is published on 1^st February each year.

If you applied to be included on the Register after it is published on 1^st February you will not see yourself on line. You will be included on the Draft Register which you can view on line from 1^st November.

If you are included on a supplement to the Register you will not see yourself on line until after the closing date for inclusion.

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 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 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.

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, European 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.

How can I check the Draft Register?

on our website at this link
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

Where can I get a copy of the Register?

The full Register of Electors is not available to the public - this is due to legal requirements in relation to personal confidentiality. However, the Edited Register is available from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for a fee. For more information on the Edited Register, please see "I am concerned that my details will be available to others and I will receive junk mail "in this FAQ.

I am concerned that my details will be available to others and I will receive junk-mail?

Since 2004, registration authorities are required to publish two versions of the Register - the Full Register and the Edited Register. The full register lists everyone who is entitled to vote and can only be used for an electoral or other statutory purpose. The edited Register contains the names and addresses of persons whose details can be used for a purpose other than an electoral or other statutory purpose e.g. direct marketing use by a commercial or other organisation. To ensure your details are not included on the Edited Register, choose the 'opt-out box' on the registration form.

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.

I have mislaid my polling card. Can I still vote?

The polling card is not mandatory for voting. However, even if you have received a polling card, you will need to bring one of the following documents as proof of identification:

Passport
A current Driving Licence
An Employee identity card containing a photograph
A student identity card issued by an educational institution and containing a photograph
A Travel document containing name and photograph
A Bank or Savings or Credit Union book containing address
A temporary Residence Certificate card
A cheque card*
A credit card*
A birth certificate*
A marriage certificate*

*The last 4 items must be accompanied by a further document which established the address of the holder in the constituency or local electoral area.

If I am abroad while the Register is being compiled, can I continue to remain on the Register even though I am not residing at my home address?

You can remain on the Register if you intend to return to your residence within 18 months.

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

The website of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government contains information for voters with disabilities

http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Voting/FileDownLoad%2C1896%2Cen.pdf

Where can I find my Local Polling Station?

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

Find your Polling Station location

Who are my Current Local Councillors?

List of Current Local Councillors:

http://ecouncil.dlrcoco.ie:9071/mgMemberIndex.aspx?VW=TABLE&PIC=1&FN=ALPHA

Languages

Register of Electors

Generic Content Gallery Block

Register of Electors

Voting Rights

Supplement to the Register

Form RFA - Application for Entry of names in the Register of Electors (Draft)

Form RFA2 - Application for Inclusion in Supplement to Register of Electors New addition, e.g., reaching 18 years, first time registering

Form RFA3 - Application for Inclusion in Supplement to Register of Electors - Change of Address

Form RFA1 - Claim for correction in Draft Register of Electors

Form RFA5 - Application for Inclusion in the Supplement to the Register of Electors by a person already registered who becomes an Irish Citizen

How Members of Local Authorities are Elected (multilingual)

Voting Entitlement based on Citizenship

Form PV1 - Form for postal voting (physical illness or physical disability)

Form PV2 - Form for postal voting (circumstances of occupation and including certain students)

Form SV1 - Form for special voters (long term residential care)

Eligibility, Versions of the Register, Postal/Special Voters (multilingual)

Preparation, Provisions for Inspection, Polling Schemes

FAQS

Polling Stations