The Debate: What should be done to boost voter turnout?
Official figures suggest national turnout fell to 59.71 per cent in the recent general election, 3.19 per cent down on the 2020 election
Electoral Commission
Five strategies to get more people voting in elections
For people who care deeply about the democratic process, low voter turnout figures can be depressing
‘Up to 500,000’ names could be on Electoral Register by mistake after duplications or deaths
Election 2024: Official turnout figure is ‘a very blunt measure’ to judge public engagement, says Electoral Commission chief
General election ads: Meta complaint made over alleged failure to publish data
General election Meta ads complaint made over information delay
Broadcast moratorium made no sense and had to go
Original motivation for the regulator’s now-scrapped guidance reveals just how outdated it had become
Coimisiún na Meán ‘finalising’ decision on future of broadcast moratorium
Broadcasters and the Electoral Commission have called for it to be abolished
Number of TDs could reach 240 over next 30 years if population growth continues, chamber hears
Paschal Donohoe says system of representation ‘broadly works’ and wants ‘national conversation’ on the matter
‘Meeting’ to expel Justin Barrett as leader of National Party attended by one person
The Electoral Commission has rejected an appeal by Mr Justin Barrett’s successor as National Party leader, James Reynolds, against a decision not to remove his rival’s name from the party’s official register
The Irish Times view on what voters think: volatility is now baked in
It should not come as a surprise that in Ireland, as elsewhere, a portion of the electorate is receptive to racist and irrational conspiracy theories
Half of voters decided on party or candidate in final week of local and European campaigns - study
Survey finds 70% of voters felt level of aggression being displayed to politicians was unacceptable
Broadcasting moratorium should be scrapped for future referendums, commission says
Almost four in 10 No voters said uncertainty over the phrase ‘durable relationships’ was reason they voted that way
Lowering voting age and electronic voting on Electoral Commission’s research agenda
Commission to also examine the requirement for politicians’ addresses to be included on ballot papers amid safety concerns
The Irish Times view on Ireland’s European election: an unnecessarily arduous process?
Unwieldy geography and the sheer length of the ballot paper have raised concerns
Local and European elections: Everything Irish voters need to know
Everything you need to know: Voters will elect 14 MEPs to the European Parliament and 949 councillors to 31 local authorities on Friday, June 7th
Gastropub owners told to pay rent arrears to ‘accidental landlord’ IRFU
Owners of rugby fan favourite the Chop House were in dispute with rugby body over rented home in Dublin 4
Should 16 year olds have the right to vote? A political scientist and a youth leader debate
Some think younger voters would be too influenced by platforms such as TikTok, but others believe the Scottish independence referendum experience shows voting at 16 can create a democratic habit for life
Not-quite-Independents are emerging as the new political force
One startling fact: the number of Independents elected to the Dáil in recent years has exceeded the combined number elected to all other EU member state parliaments
Registrar rejects opposing bids to use National Party name in elections
Factions led by Justin Barrett and James Reynolds both made applications to An Coimisiún Toghcháin
Government seeks pre-election pact with tech giants amid ‘supercharged’ disinformation threats
Threats ‘deeply corrosive to our democratic discourse’ are focus of EU and domestic leglislation
Ethics watchdog had ‘no role’ to query State-funded NGO referendum spending
Lack of independent scrutiny raises questions about spending of public money in family and care referendums
Groups getting public funding warned it would be ‘preferable’ to avoid giving referendums information
Voluntary organisations warned of ‘high test of neutrality’ and said publishing information would be best avoided
Senator’s No-No referendum posters contain ‘factual misrepresentation’ - Electoral Commission
Sharon Keoghan has raised nearly €25,000 through a GoFundMe page to fund posters opposing the proposals
Referendums: What will you be voting on and what are the Yes and No arguments?
What are Friday's referendums in Ireland all about? With voters set to go to the polls in two referendums on March 8th, the Yes and No camps offer very different assessments of the stakes, and some questions remain unanswered
Referendums: Nearly 40,000 apply to vote in 48 hours before registration deadline
Boost for Government as 37,000 apply to electoral register in 48 hours before referendum voting deadline
National Party fails in bid to be granted ‘approved body’ status in referendums
Fringe group is only one of six parties that applied that was not granted approved-body status by Electoral Commission
‘Year of elections’ could lift news publishers – even if print ads are not the next gin
Heightened political climate should push people back to trusted content as long as publishers ‘stand up and own’ the space
Electoral Commission to address uncertainty over next month’s referendums
Commission to spend €3m explaining the issues involved and on promoting engagement
I chose to stay at home instead of pursuing a career as a barrister. It’s usually women who make these choices
The sense of duty I felt towards my children outweighed my wish to pursue a demanding career. Let’s not pretend that it is not usually women who have to make these tough choices
Registrar of Political Parties to rule on which faction of the National Party can use its name for elections
Party founder Justin Barrett has challenged his removal as party leader in a bitter row that has included a dispute over the ownership of gold bars worth €400,000
Referendum on the family: Irish courts to decide on meaning of durable relationships in ‘hard cases’
Commission’s powers to seek court takedown of online misinformation during referendums not yet in place
Main Opposition parties yet to commit to campaign for ‘Yes’ vote in forthcoming referendums
Sinn Féin to meet next week to determine approach, while Labour, Social Democrats and People Before Profit all tabling amendments to proposed wording
Wording for long-awaited women’s role in the home referendum delayed further
Ministers to be briefed on new scientific research centres and special EU status for ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’
Electoral Commission will examine accuracy of Electoral Register as part of its remit
The Commission, established earlier this year, will make its first appearance before an Oireachtas Committee on Tuesday
Extra European Parliament seat recommended for Midlands-North West
Laois and Offaly will transfer from South constituency as Ireland prepares to elect 14 MEPs next June
New Independent Ireland party registered with Electoral Commission
Party founded by Cork South West TD Michael Collins and Limerick’s Richard O’Donoghue to target those disillusioned with ‘big three parties’
New election laws delayed after EU and social media giants object
Electoral Reform Act was passed by the Oireachtas last year, and the Electoral Commission was set up this year to run and monitor elections and referendums
The Irish Times view on election interference: new commission faces a daunting challenge
The great unknown is whether the new wave of generative AI tools will flood the information space with content designed to mislead, provoke or enrage
US warns of Russian efforts to interfere in Irish elections
Russia has been increasingly targeting European elections, attempting to sow distrust and discredit democratic institutions, diplomatic cable states
Expectation mounts that referendum on women’s ‘duties in the home’ unlikely in 2023
There are continuing doubts in Government about whether the vote will take place at all
Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan announces retirement
Former minister joins list of FG TDs who say they will not contest the next general election
Constitutional change may be needed to stop TD numbers growing indefinitely, says Ahern
Smaller constituencies could allow better balance between Dáil and local work, former Taoiseach says
The Irish Times view on politics resuming after the summer: Ministers need to be clear on priorities
While the Government parties must look to completing their programmes, elections tend to be more about the future than the past
Why referendums on family and women in the home are proving difficult to progress
November target date looks increasingly unlikely despite widespread agreement on need for change
Two referendums set to be held on gender equality, says Taoiseach
Government gives green light for a €1.3bn new afforestation programme
What is the optimal number of TDs for Ireland? There’s a formula for that
Agreeing to a fixed-sized Dáil, no more three-seaters and stable constituency boundaries would deprive political anoraks of some excitement but it would be better for democracy
Has Marc MacSharry burned his bridges to Fianna Fáil or will he be the prodigal son?
If the 50-year-old TD remains as an Independent, it might mean a split vote that would allow Sinn Féin take a second seat in Sligo-Leitrim
Battlelines drawn up as new election map sends political parties into planning mode
Politicians can at last plan for a campaign ahead with 14 new seats created and constituency boundaries redrawn as Electoral Commission review fires starter gun for the next general election
Sherlock ‘grappling’ with political future after constituency review
Labour TD has lost his home base of Mallow in review of Cork Dáil district boundaries
Stephen Collins: Electoral Commission was right. We don’t need more TDs
A referendum to cap the number at 174 would surely find favour with voters, although sitting TDs may be reluctant to contemplate it
Electoral Commission may face legal challenge over constituency review
Clare now has the highest population per TD in the country, at 31,995
Marie Baker of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission: Why 174 TDs is the right number for the next Dáil
In any constituency review some people will be disappointed, writes the chair of the Electoral Commission
Additional seats in constituency review mollify larger parties over boundary changes
It’s a lot more difficult for smaller parties to win in three-seat constituencies
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