Unprecedented surge in voter registration in Westmeath

Almost 2,300 Westmeath people have registered to vote in advance of Friday's abortion referendum, a 103% increase compared to the marriage equality referendum three years ago.

According to figures obtained by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), 2,276 people registered to vote in Westmeath between February and the May 8 deadline for Friday's referendum. This represents a 103% increase from the same period in 2015 when 1,121 local people registered to vote.

This unprecedented surge in voter registration was replicated in many counties across the country, according to the NYCI deputy director James Doorley.

“The numbers registering in Meath (123%), Kerry, (112%), South Dublin (103%) and Westmeath (103%) are up over 100% on 2015. Other counties such as Galway, (97%)  Tipperary, (92%), Kilkenny (86%) are also recording a much increased level of registration. The lowest percentage increases to date are from Dublin and Cork Cities with an increase of 38% and 37% respectively but this still represents in Dublin City alone an increase of over 5,400  voters compared to those included in the supplementary register in 2015. (19,805 in 2018 compared to 14,362 in 2015). Leitrim stands out as a result of an 213% increase in voters included in the supplementary register with 670 additional voters in 2018 compared to 214 in 2015.

While the NYCI and other organisations such as the Union of Students of Ireland (USI) ran voter registration events in recent months, Mr Doorley says that “it is important to note that not all those added to this latest supplement to the register are young voters”.

“Some undoubtedly are not in the 18 to 29 age bracket, or are electors changing the location of their vote. However, the indications we received from a number of county councils suggest that a high percentage of those registered are new or young voters.”