“We get the chance to elect our representatives in the European Parliament and at Local Councils once every 5 years and the next one is on Friday May 24th, to make the change you must be registered to vote.” USI President Síona Cahill

 

With just one month left to register to vote ahead of the EU and Local Elections, the Union of Students in Ireland, along with Spunout and the National Youth Council of Ireland are urging students to ensure their names are on the register of electors using the Supplementary Registration form; RFA2.

 

With the hard deadline to register to vote in the European Parliament and Local elections on the 7th May, USI are encouraging students to do so sooner rather than later.

 

Students’ Unions across the country are coming together as #GenerationVote after the recent huge engagement in referenda by Ireland’s youth.

 

USI President, Síona Cahill stated;

 

“From Marriage Equality to Repealing the eighth, students have clearly been at the forefront of demanding a better future for Ireland. On higher education funding, access to college, the accommodation crisis as well as climate justice, we refuse to be silenced.”

 

Those who have ignored our calls will rue the day they did at ballot boxes right around the country this May 24th. The greatest threat to progress is complacency, so make sure you’re on the register and the people who should be representing you, get elected”

 

“This time last year, students in their tens of thousands made it their business to register to vote ahead of the referendum to repeal the 8th amendment. It is imperative that the student voice is heard at our local and European elections, as we won’t have another chance like this for 5 more years. This is a crucial moment globally as far right forces rise, and there is growing xenophobia, racism and rejection of integration – we need to elect people to challenge that narrative as a matter of urgency, at all levels of politics”

 

Following on from last year’s referendum to Repeal the 8th Amendment which saw a whopping 26,979 students register to vote, USI are cautiously warning young people in Ireland not to become complacent and ensure they are on the register. If students need to change their address, they are advised to use the ‘Supplementary Change of Address’ form (RFA3).

 

James Doorley, National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI)  Deputy Director said:

“We know that at least 62,000 young people have turned 18 in the last 12 months, and therefore can now cast a vote in these upcoming elections. In total over 300,000 young people who couldn’t vote in the 2014 Local and European Elections now have the right to vote for their local councillors and for their representatives to the European Parliament. To be able to vote, it is crucial that these new and in many cases first time voters are registered to vote, so that they can exercise their democratic right on Friday, May 24th next.”

 

Jack Deacon, Deputy CEO of Spunout.ie stated:

 

The youth vote had such significant impact and power in the Abortion referendum in 2018. It is important that all young people are registered so they can have their say on on May 24th in the EU and local elections, and the upcoming referenda. Check the register and make sure you on it by the May 7th deadline.”