Tomorrow last day to register to vote, warns USI

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has warned those not yet registered to vote that tomorrow is the last chance to apply to register.

To register, a form must be completed and submitted “immediately” to the appropriate Local Authority to meet the deadline for Late Applications of 5pm on Tuesday, May 1.

Persons eligible for a postal vote also face an application deadline of 5pm on Tuesday if they have not yet been included on the Supplement to the Postal Voters list.

USI directed all unregistered voters to the website www.citizensinformation.ie where they can download the appropriate Late Application Form by entering the search term "registering to vote".

Late Application forms can also be collected in person from City and County Council offices.

The completed form must be immediately submitted to the relevant Local Authority by fax, or delivered by hand, to ensure delivery by Tuesday’s deadline.

“Tomorrow is D-Day for all unregistered voters to complete an application form and apply to have their details included on the Supplement to the Register of Electors,” said USI president Colm Hamrogue.

“A different application form should be completed by persons eligible for a postal vote who want to take advantage of this method but haven’t yet been registered for a postal vote.

“Every vote will count in this election so every student must take action to ensure they are registered.

“Young people in particular are an under-represented group. Students risk giving politicians carte blanche to ignore them if they do not take steps to protect their right to be heard.

“If you are a citizen and you haven’t already registered to vote yet, you still have time to act - but not much time. In fact, you only have a few hours remaining. So act this instant.”