Planning to vote in the next election? What you need to know

With a general election coming up in the next few months it is important to remember that you can only vote if you are on the official register of electors. The register is currently being updated and the new one will come into force on February 15th, 2016.

Q. How do I know if I am on the register?
A. The register is available for inspection in all local authority offices, post offices, Garda stations and public libraries. You can check online by simply clicking into the website checktheregister.ie

Q. If I am not on the register or am registered at the wrong address what do I do?
A. The draft register for 2016 was published on November 1st and the deadline for getting on the amended version is tomorrow evening. (Wednesday, November 25th) If you are not on the draft register you have to fill up a RFA1 form which you can get from your local post office or public library and return it to your local authority. The same applies if you want to be registered at a new address.

Q. It is too late for me to meet the deadline. Does that mean I won't be able to vote in the election?
A. No need to panic. You can still apply to be included in a supplementary register even after the election is called. The supplementary application form RFA2 has to be submitted to your local authority at least 15 days before polling day. It means you can register to vote even if the election takes place before February 15th on the basis on the old 2015 register.

Q. Who is entitled to register to vote?
A. To be eligible to be included in the amended register of electors, you must be at least 18 years old on the day the Register comes into force February 15th next and have been ordinarily resident in the State on September 1st of this year.

Q. Is it only Irish citizens who can vote in a general election?
A. No. British citizens can also vote in elections for the Dáil, European Parliament and local authorities but not in referendums. Other EU citizens can vote in European and local elections while non EU citizens can vote in local elections only.

Q. If I am an Irish citizen living abroad can I resister to vote?
A. No. The only exception to this is for Irish officials and their spouses who can register on a postal voters list.

Q. I have turned 18 since the last general election. When should I apply to have my name on the register?
A. Individuals are entitled to apply to be included on the register if they will be 18 or over on February 15th next when the register comes into force. If there is an election before then and you are already 18 you can apply to get on the supplementary register.

Q. Who else can register on this list?
A. Members of An Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces. People suffering from a physical illness or disability, students living away from home in Ireland, those who are unable to vote at polling stations because of their occupation and people in prison.

Q. I am eligible for a postal vote but haven't applied. What do I do?
A. Applications must be received by tomorrow for the official register but you can apply to get on the supplementary register at a later date. The latest date for applications for postal votes is two days after the dissolution of the Dail for the general election. In the case of referendums or other elections it is 22 days before polling. There is also a special voters list for those who live in hospitals, nursing homes and similar institutions and the same rules apply. Applications must be accompanied by a medical certificate.

Q. Who has access to the register?
A. Anybody can inspect the register at their local library or post office but individuals can only check the register online as it relates to themselves.

Q. Is the register made available for online marketing?
A. Only if individuals choose to have their name included in an edited register which is made available for direct marketing. Local authorities publish to versions the full register which can only be used for electoral or other statutory purposes and an edited register containing the names of voters willing to have their details used for other purposes. If you do not want your details included in the edited register tick the "opt out" box on the registration form.