State Papers 1986: Widespread abuse of postal voting system in 1985 local elections

The Cabinet was divided over the merits of allowing postal voting after reports of widespread abuse of the system during the 1985 local elections.

The Minister for the Environment, John Boland, recommended in September 1986 that draft legislation to introduce postal voting on health and occupations grounds should not be proceeded with.

Mr Boland told other ministers he had grave reservation about the measure as there had been was serious organised abuse in a number of areas during the previous year’s local elections.