Ways to improve voter participation

IF there was ever proof needed that people lie to pollsters, it is in the latest Central Statistics Office survey on voter participation.

A commendable 82% of those questioned said they had done their civic duty and voted in February’s general election. Unfortunately, the truth is that the turnout was 70%.

But that is a lie too, because voter turnout is measured as a percentage of all those registered to vote. If it was measured as a percentage of all those eligible to register to vote it would be about 65%.