In order to be able to vote in an election of referendum, a person’s name must be entered on the register of electors for the locality in which that person ordinarily resides.  Registration authorities (County Council and City Corporations) are required by law to prepare and publish a register of electors every year.

To apply to be registered, fill out the registration form (form RFA in either the English or Irish Version) and return it to your Local Authority.  The register comes into force on 15th February and is used at each election and referendum held in the succeeding 12 months. Registration forms are generally available from Local Authorities, Town Councils, garda stations, post offices and libraries. Once the form is completed, please return it to the following address:

Cork County Council,
Franchise Section,
County Hall,
Freepost,
Cork.

Conditions for Registration 

In order to be listed in the Register of Electors, you must fulfil the following conditions:

Age

You must be at least 18 years on the day the register comes into force (15 February).  Each resident aged 18 and upwards is entitled to be on the register.

Citizenship 

While every adult resident is entitled to be registered, the registration authority needs to know a person’s citizenship, because this determines the elections in which a person may vote.  The qualifying date for citizenship is 1st September preceding the coming into force of the register.  The right to vote is as follows:

1. Irish Citizenship may vote at every election and referendum
2. British citizens may vote at Dail, European and local elections
3. Other EU citizens may vote at European and local elections
4. Non-EU citizens may vote at local elections only

Residence

You must be resident at the relevant address on 1st September preceding the coming into force of the register.  You may be registered at one address only.  If you have more than one address – for example, if you are living away from home to attend college or in connection with employment – the registration authority should be told the address for which you wish to be registered.

If you leave your residence with the intention of returning there within 18 months you can continue to be registered there, subject to the overriding condition that you may be registered at one address only.  If you are absent temporarily from your ordinary address, such as on holiday, in hospital or absent for employment purposes, you should be registered for that address.  A visitor or person staying temporarily at the address should not be registered.