USI CALLS FOR SATURDAY VOTING TO COMBAT ‘TWO CONSTITUENCY’ PROBLEM

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has warned that only Saturday voting can prevent thousands of young people from being denied the right to vote.

Elections held Monday-to-Friday disenfranchise students who reside in two constituencies. Long distance travel is impossible for full-time students during the week, USI said.

At least half of all full-time students reside in two constituencies – a college residence and their permanent family home. For one in three students, the distance separating college from their permanent home exceeds 80 kilometres.[1]

Based on HEA figures, Saturday polling would allow up to 90,000 full-time students the chance to travel to the constituency where they are registered to vote.

USI President Colm Hamrogue said: “Already this month, we have seen signs that marginalised electors will be hit by a variety of obstacles to voting in the next election.

“If the Government is serious about maximising voter turnout – particularly among young people – then it must commit to holding the next general election on a Saturday.

“Half of all full-time students divide their year between two voting constituencies: their college address and their permanent address. At the moment, students can only guess which of their constituencies they should register to vote in since nobody knows the exact date when the election will fall.”

USI Education Officer Bernadette Farrell said: “Keeping polls open until late in the evening is vital – but late opening still assumes that all voters have their evening free to vote.

“Weekday polling discriminates not only against students. Thousands of employees and managers are also extremely busy during the business week, and there are many reasons why they would seize the chance to vote on Saturday.

“USI urges all TDs from all political parties to insist on this vital pro-democracy reform.”