Electronic voting in Ireland

Information

During the last general election in Ireland, (17 May, 2002) the Government piloted a new system of voting for people living in the constituencies of Dublin North, Dublin West and Meath. People who lived in these constituencies cast their vote electronically (i.e., by computer) instead of casting their vote in the usual way (i.e., by indicating their preferences on a piece of paper and placing their vote in a ballot box). This was the first time citizens in Ireland were allowed vote electronically in a general election. During the referendum on 19th October, 2002, electronic voting was used in same three constituencies and in four additional constituencies (Dublin Mid-West, Dublin South, Dublin South West and Dun Laoghaire).

The Irish Government proposed that electronic voting be used nationally in the local and european elections in 2004. However, an Independent Commission on Electronic Voting and Counting at Elections (known as the "Commission on Electronic Voting") established by the Government of Ireland on 1 March, 2004 has recommended otherwise. The Commission said it has not been able to satisfy itself sufficiently as to the accuracy and secrecy of the chosen system. The Commission report recommended further time for testing and quality assurance and made detailed and valuable recommendations for the conduct of this further testing.

Electronic voting will therefore not take place in Ireland until this has occurred. The following information outlines the process of electronic voting, used in previous elections.

Rules

You can cast your vote electronically in three easy steps:

Voters go to their designated polling station as normal, bringing their polling card or other form of acceptable identification (i.e., driving licence, passport, student card, identity card).
The polling clerk will then issue you with a permit that allows you to use the voting machine. The voting machine will be located in the polling booth, as normal, and you will be able to cast your vote in complete privacy.
On the voting machine, the names of each candidate will be displayed, with a button beside their name. You should make your selections of the candidates in order of preference, as normal (i.e., 1, 2, 3, etc.) by pressing the buttons beside their names. If you make a mistake or want to change your mind, simply press the button beside the candidate's name a second time. When you have finished making your selections, you then cast your vote by pressing the button marked "Cast Vote". The display on the machine will remind to press the "Cast Vote" button. In addition, the polling station staff will, if necessary, remind you to press the "Cast Vote" button. If you still do not press the "Cast Vote" button after these reminders, staff will deactivate the voting machine and you will not be able to use it again.

Polling staff will explain how to use the new machine if anyone is having difficulties. Wheelchair users are also able to use the machine.

The voting machine will operate on a 12-volt battery in the event of a power failure, so any votes that are cast are not lost.

Where to apply

Franchise Section,

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government,

Custom House,

Dublin.

Lo Call: 1890 200 406

Tel: (01) 888 2000

E-mail: press-office@environ.ie

Electronic voting in Ireland

Information

Rules

Where to apply

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