Pub set for US vote role

AN Irish pub may play a role in the US presidential race.

The Democratic Party is arranging for its overseas members to vote in a special primary taking place on February 5.

O’Neill’s bar in Suffolk Street, Dublin, has been earmarked as the venue in which Irish-based Democrats will be able to cast their votes.

Primaries and caucuses are where members decide which candidate they want to run for president.

Democrats Abroad, the section of the Democratic Party for overseas members, is organising what it calls a “global primary” on February 5.

This will allow overseas members who have not cast absentee ballots in their respective states to still have a say in who the party’s nominee will be.

Their votes will decide which candidate the Democrats Abroad organisation will back.

The party says it is the “first time in American history that a political primary [will] be held abroad”.

Voters will be able cast their ballots by internet, post or at the polling station.

The polling station will be open from 10.30am to 11.30pm, says the party.

Michael O’Neill of O’Neill’s Bar said yesterday he had not yet been requested by Democrats Abroad Ireland to host the primary.

But he said he would have “no problem” doing so, as Democrats Abroad Ireland regularly held meetings in the bar.