Up to 2,753 young people in Kilkenny may not be on electoral register with days to deadline

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI)  is urging young people to make sure they have registered to vote before the registration deadline next Saturday November 25th.

A RedC poll conducted for the NYCI earlier this year found that 22% of those aged 18-29 were not registered to vote.Based on the most recent population data from the Central Statistics Office this would mean up to 2,753 young people in County Kilkenny risk missing out on their right to vote

 Nationwide, a potential 151,000 young voters may not be registered, with the figures for the regions as follows: Dublin City and County; 50,554, Rest of Leinster 37,393, Munster, 39,021 and Connacht/Ulster 24,494.   

 James Doorley, NYCI Deputy Director explained: “We know from our work with young people that the vast majority want to vote but not all are aware they have to register. This is particularly an issue for the more than 61,000 young people who turned 18 and became eligible to vote over in the last 12 months."

 Check the register

Local Authorities are currently preparing the 2018/2019 electoral register. For those unsure whether they are registered or not, the NYCI advises that they check online at www.checktheregister.ie 

Anyone 18 on or before February 15th 2018 eligible

 “To reduce the high levels of non-registration we need to move towards automatic registration of all 18 years olds and a national online registration system. It is ridiculous that in the 21st Century eligible voters cannot register online, we are effectively still administering a 19th Century voter registration system – all that’s missing is the quills," Mr Doorley said.

“These defects and deficiencies will not be solved in the short term, so for now we strongly encourage young people to register to vote and ensure they have a say in electing our public representatives and in decisions and laws that govern us all,” concluded Mr Doorley.