Young people disenfranchised by vote register

REVELATIONS about the dated nature of our electoral register raise serious issues in relation to encouraging more young people to engage in politics.

It is clear that young people, because of their mobility, are affected most by an outdated electoral register, thus further disenfranchising and distancing them from the political process.

A 2003 report by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) illustrates the problems they have with being on the register in the place where they currently reside.

Some form of automatic registration linked with the PPS number could ensure young people have an equal right to vote.

Given the numbers affected by this problem there may be a case for age discrimination under equality legislation.

Participation in the political and electoral process is the key to being taken seriously in key areas of society. Young people are often seen and not heard because of who votes.

The CSO research shows it is not lack of interest and engagement that stops young people voting but the difficulties they encounter with the registration process. We know this is almost inevitably connected to their mobility.

The CSO report also showed that the turnout of voters under 25 years of age was 38% and that circumstantial reasons such as not being registered or being away were cited by 57% of non-voters as their reason for not casting their ballots.

The number of young people who didn’t vote because they were not registered was almost twice as many as the rest of the population.

These figures demonstrate the huge impact of the registration process on young people.

The Minister for the Environment must address this issue if the Government is serious about encouraging young people to participate in society and politics.

Michael McLoughlin

Youth Work Ireland

20 Lr Dominick Street

Dublin 1