About Local Elections

When are the 2009 Local Elections?

The local elections for Donegal County Council and for the town councils of Letterkenny, Buncrana, Bundoran and Ballyshannon will take place on Friday 5th June 2009.

Who is Entitled to Vote?

A person must be 18 years of age by 15th February to be included in the register for that year. 

While every adult resident is entitled to be registered, you must supply details of your citizenship, as this will determine what elections you may vote in. 

The right to vote is as follows:

  • Irish citizens may vote at every election and referendum.
  • British citizens may vote at Dáil, European and Local elections.
  • Other EU citizens may vote at European and Local elections
  • Non-EU citizens may vote at Local elections only
  • A person must be ordinarily resident at the address in question on 1st September in the year preceding the coming into force of the Register.

How Can I Find Out If I am On the Register to Vote?

The Register of Electors contains the names of all people over 18 years who are eligible to vote. The register is updated annually and people are advised to check each year that they are registered correctly. The Register is available for checking at Post Offices, Garda Stations, Public Libraries and Public Service Centres.It can also be checked on line at www.checktheregister.ie

What are Postal Votes & The Special Voters List?

Provision has been made under the Electoral Acts for the preparation of the above lists in respect of particular categories of voters. 

Electors who may apply for entry in the postal voters list include:

  • Electors who are living at home and cannot attend at a polling station to vote due to physical disability.
  • Electors who are unable to vote at their polling station, due to circumstances of occupation or education.
  • Whole-time members of the defence forces. Members who live in military barracks may be registered either at the barracks or at their home address.
  • Irish diplomats posted abroad, and their spouses; they are registered at their home address in Ireland.
  • Members of the Garda Síochána have the option of being registered as ordinary electors or as postal voters. If they are granted a postal vote they may only vote by post.
  • Electors unable to vote at their polling station due to circumstances of their detention in a prison pursuant to an order of a court.

Electors who may apply for entry in the Special Voters list: 

Electors living in a nursing home or similar institution who are unable due to physical disability to attend at a polling station to vote.

The closing date for inclusion in the Supplements to the Postal and Special voters lists 
is two days after the date of the order appointing polling day.

Faxed or e-mailed application forms will not be accepted 

Where Can I access the Relevant Electoral Register Forms?

All forms can be downloaded from Donegal County Council's Website by clicking on the following link:

http://www.donegalcoco.ie/council/electoralregister/forms.htm

Forms for Postal Voters

Forms for Special Voters

Supplementary Register Forms

Alternatively you can call into a Council Office near you.  Otherwise please contact me at info@joannesweeney.ie or call 087-6237373 and I will arrange to get the relevant forms to you.