FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Register of Electors ?
The Register of Electors is a list of registered voters entitled to vote in an Irish election or referendum. In order to be able to vote, a person's name must be entered onto the Register for the locality in which the person resides. The Register comes into force on February 15th each year.
What is the Supplement to the Register of Electors ?
The Supplement to the Registor of Electors is a list of registered eligible voters not already entered on the full Register. If a person is not included on the full Register but feels he/she qualifies for registration (or has for example, recently reached voting age), the person may apply for entry on the Supplement.
What referenda are taking place ?
On Thursday, October 27th 2011, there will also be 2 referenda down for decision by the Irish people. Each one is a proposed ammendment to the Constitution of Ireland. The proposed amendments are on judicial salaries pay cuts, and to provide additional powers to Oireachtas committees.
Am I entitled to vote in this election ?
Please check the Register of Electors to determine whether you are entered on the Register of Electors. Eligibility and citizenship criteria apply for the Presidential Election.
How do I find out if I am registered ?
Please check the Register of Electors for Waterford City to determine whether you are currently entered on the Register of Electors.
What are the conditions for registration for the Presidential Election ?
A person must be :
- At least 18 years old.
- Must have made the authority aware of their citizenship status as this effects which type of election you can vote in.
- Presidential Elections are only open to Irish citizens.
- Be ordinarily resident at your address.
- Be only registered at only one address.
How do I register to vote ?
If you are not currently on the Register of Electors and feel you meet the criteria set out above, you can apply to be entered onto the Supplement to the Register of Electors. Download the RFA2 form and return it to : Franchise Section, City Hall, The Mall, Waterford.
Where can I inspect the Register of Electors ?
The draft full Register is published on 1st November each year and is made available for examination at post offices, public libraries, Garda stations, courthouses and local authority offices up to
25th November each year and the public are invited to check the draft during this period to make sure that they are correctly registered.
What if I have changed address since the last time I voted ?
To be included in the supplement following a change of address, a person must be already on the register in respect of their previous address and ordinarily resident at the address at which they now wish to be registered. Download and fill in form RFA3 and have it stamped and witnessed at a Garda Station. Then return it to : Franchise Section, City Hall, The Mall, Waterford.
Where is my local count centre ?
The count centre for Waterford City is the Butler Community Centre, St. John's Park, Waterford.
On election day, where do I go to vote ?
Registered voters will receive a polling card in the mail prior to election day. This will detail the location of your polling station and where you need to go to vote. See our maps section for directions to your designated polling station.
What identification must I bring with me to vote ?
You must bring your polling card and an accepted form of identification. The following are acceptable :
(i) Passport (ii) Driving Licence
(iii) Employee ID card with photograph
(iv) A student ID card issued by an educational institution
(v) A travel document containing name and photograph
(vi) A Bank / Savings / Credit Union book containing address
(vii) A temporary residence certificate card
(viii) A Garda National Immigration Bureau card
(ix) A cheque book (x) A cheque card
(xi) A credit card (xii) Birth Certificate (xiii) Marriage certificate
Items (ix) - (xiii) must be accompanied by a further document which establishes the address of the holder in the constituency.
What is the 'Postal Voters List' ?
This is a list of eligible and registered voters who are unable to attend their polling station in person for numerous reasons. Poeple in the following categories can apply to be added to the postal voters list.
(i) Full time members of the Defence Forces
(ii) Irish diplomats and their families, who are serving aborad
(iii) Members of An Garda Síochána
(iv) Persons living at home but unable to attend a polling station because of a physical illness or physical disability.
(v) Persons whose occupations prevent them from attending their polling station, including students.
(vi) Persons unable to attend their polling station due to being detained in prison.
A postal voter may vote by post only and may not then vote at a polling station.
