Friday polls fail to boost voter turnout

STUDENTS might not be as disenfranchised as they suggest by the General Election being held on a Thursday, official figures suggest.

Young people’s groups and student union representatives have accused the Government of blocking thousands of young voters from exercising their right to vote by not having a weekend election.

But the decision to hold the 1997 and 2002 polls on a Friday, when more students might be home from college, failed to stem the fall in turnout in all 10 general elections since 1973. They attracted just 63% and 66% of eligible voters respectively, compared to 68% and 69% turnouts for the previous two elections held on a Thursday (1992) and a Wednesday (1989).

Every other general election since 1973 — when more than 75% of voters cast a ballot — was held on a Wednesday or Thursday, except the 1987 poll which took place on a Tuesday.

The deadline for applying for a postal vote — an option available to full-time students unable to make it home for polling day — passed at 5pm yesterday.

However, anybody wishing to change the address at which they are registered for voting can do so until 5pm Saturday by applying to get on the supplementary electoral register.

Application forms are available from city and county councils, garda stations, libraries, post offices, or checktheregister.ie.

Young people who turn 18 on or before voting on May 24 will also be eligible to register.

The application form for the supplementary register must be signed before and witnessed by a garda, and photo and other identification might be required.