VOTING:TOMORROW IS the deadline for people to check if they are on the electoral register for 2011. However, even if would-be voters register before then they still may not automatically be eligible to vote in any election which takes place ahead of February 15th.
The electoral draft register for 2011 will be published on February 1st, and the finalised list comes into force on February 15th. If an election takes place before that date, then the electoral register for 2010 will be used.
The Department of the Environment has, however, assured people who have registered to vote in recent days that while they will not be on the register for 2010 they will still be able to vote in a January election as long as they have themselves added to the relevant local authority’s supplementary register at least 15 days before any election date.
To get on to the supplementary register, a person has to complete a form available at any Garda station and have it witnessed by a garda. If the person is not in a position to get to a Garda station, they can have the documentation witnessed by a county or city council official.
Local authorities can automatically include people who are on the draft register on any supplementary register compiled in the run-up to an election, although it is by no means certain they will do so.
The current register of electors remains in force until February 14th, and voters who are already registered do not need to seek reregistration before then. It can be checked at www.checktheregister.ie
If a general election takes place on or after February 15th, the 2011 register of electors will apply. It comes into force on that date and will apply for 12 calendar months from then, as is usual.
The draft register of electors is also on display at city/county council offices, Garda stations, libraries and post offices.