Public to have their say on voting system changes

PEOPLE across Co Wexford can have their say on how the electoral registration process should be reformed.

A public national consultation process has been launched relating to how the electoral process can be modernised.

Wexford County Council’s communications officer, David Minogue, highlighted how the public can have their input into what type of changes should take place.

There are seven main proposals under consideration including simplification of forms and the process, a rolling electoral register, optional online registration, a move to individual registration only, enabling a single national electoral register database, a move to verified identity using people’s PPSNs and data sharing between public bodies and electoral registra- tion authorities.

The Government is also considering allowing provisional registration for 16 to 17-yearolds with their registration becoming automatic once they turn 18.

Specific registration for people with no fixed address and anonymous registration for people whose safety might be at risk if their details are on the public register are also being considered.

The public can make submissions by emailing registerreform@housing.gov.ie or by post to: Electoral Registration Project Consultation, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1 D01 W6X0.

Submissions, including names, will be published on www.housing.gov.ie and will be subject to freedom of information requests. The submission deadline is March 15.