Profusion of election literature costly and ineffective

DURING the course of the election campaign I received 13 Litir um Thoghchán from various presidential and by-election candidates.

I also received a polling booklet with polling card and the text of the referendums, and another booklet from the Referendum Commission.

I don’t mind receiving all this literature, but surely having it posted in dribs and drabs over a few weeks is not very efficient or cost effective.

Oddly, I received no literature with for/against arguments for either referendum, or information explaining the voting system, how to get on the supplemental register, or apply for a postal ballot or to be an election worker.

One of the better suggestions from the presidential campaign was the one from Sean Gallagher to have a joint Litir um Thoghchán, which would have saved the hard-pressed Irish taxpayer over €10m.

In some American states they send out a detailed voter information guide to each voter explaining the electoral and voting process, including registering to vote, postal voting and being an election worker; a message from every party and candidate for each elective office; and the text of all propositions, including for/against arguments from various groups.

Why can’t we do the same by printing and posting one election booklet to all voters combining all the Litir um Thoghchán, along with the text of referendums, including for/against arguments from interested groups, and have some educational information about the electoral system as well.

With only one booklet per voter, millions could be saved on delivery costs.

The better information for the voter could save the blushes of losing candidates and governments too.

Jason Fitzharris

Rivervalley

Swords

Co. Dublin.