Youth Council urging young people to register to vote
Deadline for general election is Tuesday November 12
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) are urging all eligible young voters to register before the deadline for the upcoming general election, tomorrow Tuesday November 12.
They are also highlighting the simplicity of online registration as an important factor in ensuring young voices are heard in the democratic process.
Kathryn Walsh, NYCI director for Policy and Advocacy, said: “Ireland’s youth population is growing, and there are over 600,000 young people aged 18 to 29 eligible to register to vote in Ireland.* That is almost 1 in 5 of those of voting age in Ireland.
“It means young people could prove hugely influential in the general election. A recent RedC poll we commissioned showed most people believe that politicians are not representing young people’s interests – that has to change, and one of the most effective ways to change it is to get young people registered to vote.”
First-time voters
Ms Walsh added: “We also want to make sure that the almost 60,000** young people who turned 18 and became eligible to vote in the last 12 months are on the register.
“We know from our work with young people that the majority want to vote but not all are aware of the deadline or of the need to register.
“With online voter registration, engaging in the electoral process has never been more straightforward, so that’s why it’s so important to get the word out ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, and make sure young people’s voices can be heard in the upcoming election,” concluded Ms Walsh.
How to register
For those unsure whether they are registered or not, the NYCI advises that they check online at checktheregister.ie.
For those not yet registered, the process can now be completed online at the same site. You will need to provide your PPSN, date of birth and Eircode.
The NYCI provides further information and FAQs for first time voters on youth.ie/vote.
Sources:
* 613,441 aged 18-29 eligible (resident in state and citizen of Ireland or Great Britain). Estimate based on CSO Census 2022. F5009 Population usually resident and present in the State: https://data.cso.ie/table/F5009
** 59,386 aged 18 in 2024 eligible (resident in state and citizen of Ireland or Great Britain). Estimate based on CSO Census 2022. F5009 Population usually resident and present in the State: https://data.cso.ie/table/F5009