Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 15, lines 1 to 7, to delete all words from and including “on” in line 1 down to and including “referendum,” in line 7 and substitute the following:

“before—

(a) fourteen days before polling day of a general election of the Dáil,

(b) fourteen days before polling day at a Dáil bye-election,

(c) fourteen days before polling day at a presidential, European, or local election, or a referendum,”.

It must have been tough to group the two amendments together and I commend the use of algorithms in arriving at the decision. I acknowledge the role of my colleagues, Senators Mary Ann O'Brien, Marie-Louise O'Donnell, Jillian van Turnhout and Katherine Zappone, in supporting and tabling the amendments. I also acknowledge the support, assistance and input of the Oireachtas Library and Research Service whose staff have been excellent in providing background information. I thank, in particular, Ms Catherine Lynch, a researcher in the service who provided me with great material, despite the tight schedule.

While I acknowledge the Minister has moved on the issue of postal voting, I propose to cite a number of examples to provide an international context to the issue. The amendments relate to the deadlines for supplemental postal voting. I propose that, in the case of general elections, Dáil by-elections, presidential, European and local elections and referendums, this deadline be changed to 14 days.

People who do not vote can generally be categorised as circumstantial or voluntary non-voters. When examining policies designed to increase turnout political scientists distinguish between voter facilitation and mobilisation measures. The theory behind voter facilitation measures is that a good proportion of non-voters are circumstantial non-voters, that is, they choose not to vote because it is inconvenient for them to do so. I expect this appeals to an Irish trait alluded to by the Minister of leaving things to the last minute. This is not, however, a reason to punish people or have measures in place than deter them from voting. We should offer enabling measures, in other words, voter facilitation measures which are primarily aimed at this group. Voter facilitation rules include holding elections on more convenient days of the week, for example, at the weekend, and making available postal, absentee and advance voting. Other measures include holding a poll over two days, although this is not one I would necessarily advocate.

There is evidence to suggest that other voter facilitation measures have a positive effect on voter turnout.

Franklin's 1996 study found that turnout was higher where a postal vote was available. In 2003, Blais et al found that the availability of postal, advance and proxy voting has a strong positive association with high turnout. Blais also concluded that it made sense to presume that people are more likely to vote if it is convenient to do so, but the question is which voting facilities matter most in making voting convenient. This depends on many factors, including, how easy it is to use a voter facility, such as postal or advance voting, whether the voting facility measures are well targeted and country specific factors.

For example, we can now pay our bills in any post office. Technology and efficiency allow us to conflate the time, from the time we register to vote. I see no reason the way the property tax was paid cannot be used. It was quite an efficient process and a certain amount of time was allowed. People entered their PPS number and other details and paid their tax. We should try to provide for voting in a similar way. I would like the Minister to make my day and accept the amendment.

In the UK, any eligible voter may apply to be on the postal register by filling out a form and returning it to the local electoral register office. There it is possible to apply for a postal vote for just one election, for a specific period of time or to become a permanent postal voter. The UK uses a system of electoral registration referred to as an annual canvass. This means that all people on the electoral register receive an annual canvass form between August and October each year, which they must fill out to confirm their name on the register. This aims to keep the electoral register up to date.

The Minister spoke about the experience of political parties. I have training as a political scientist. My first training in that area occurred when I was 14 in the constituency of Dublin Rathmines West when, as part of my civic education, my parents took me out of school and took me canvassing for three weeks for former Senator Mary Robinson from the local Labour Party. As a little scut of 14, I had to go around with the electoral register and mark off who was dead or had moved away and distinguish between the different Pat O'Connors.