Young people urged to check they’re on electoral register

THE National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has warned that young people across Cork could miss out on the opportunity to vote in the upcoming referendum if their names are not included on the electoral register.

With the deadline for inclusion on the register set to expire next Tuesday (May 8), NCYI deputy director James Doorley has urged young people to ensure they are able to exercise their democratic right to vote on May 25.

Mr Doorley said anyone who is 18-years old on or before May 25 is eligible for inclusion on the updated voters list.

“We are especially anxious to ensure that the more than 13,500 people across Cork who have turned 18 since the 2016 general election and now have the right to vote are included on the register,” said Mr Doorley.

Given that next Monday is a bank-holiday, Mr Doorley advised people who may be unsure about their voting status to check it out immediately.

They can do so by visiting www.checktheregister.ie. Those not on the register will need to fill in the RFA2 form (available to download on the website), have it signed and witnessed at a Garda station and return it by posts or hand to Cork County Council before close of business next Tuesday.

“Excellent work is done each year to get young people on the electoral register, by organisations including the NYCI. However, with over 122,000 young people nationwide turning 18 since our last national poll in the 2016 General Election, we need to work continually to ensure all are registered,” said Mr Doorley.

“For almost every election and referendum we get calls from young people who have missed the registration deadline and are disappointed that they cannot vote. With this in mind, we are urging young people to make sure they are registered and not to leave it to the last minute.”