10/10/2008 -

Are You registered to Vote?

Sligo Local Authorities launched their Register of Electors initiative on Thursday 9th October. Mayor Cllr Veronica Cawley, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Jude Devins and elected officials joined representatives from across the community at the launch in an effort to raise awareness among people of their right to vote.

- Cathaoirleach Cllr. Devins, Yvonne Kelly from Citizens’ Information Service, Martina Kilgallon from Our Voice Advocacy group, Sinn Finn from Cregg House, Kay Bourke of Cregg House Services, Mayor Cllr. Cawley and John Truelove from HSE Learning Disability Service.

Martina Kilgallon from ‘Our Voice Advocacy’ group welcomed the campaign as a way “to promote empowerment of people with disabilities by encouraging them to exercise their right to vote and that they and their families have a role to play in influencing local government and service provision nationally.”

Sligo IT was represented by Student Union President Daniel McGarrigle, Welfare Officer Alan Costello and Communications Officer Breffni Gorman. They were keen to stress the important role students play in the electoral process.

- Cathaoirleach Cllr. Devins, Alan Costello  Welfare Officer at Sligo IT, Breffni Gorman Communications Officer Sligo IT, Daniel McGarrigle Sligo IT Student Union President & Mayor Cllr. Cawley

Sligo Local Authorities also want to target their message to non-Irish citizens who are able to vote in certain elections. Regardless of nationality all persons resident in the country are entitled to vote in the Local Elections. Yvonne Kelly from the Citizens Information Service pointed out that information and advice would also be available from their offices.

The draft register will be printed on November 1st and members of the public can check if they are on the register at the following locations:

• County Hall, Riverside, Sligo 
• City Hall, Quay St. Sligo
• Sligo County Library, Stephen Street, Sligo and branch libraries in Ballymote, Tubbercurry and Enniscrone
• Sligo County Council Area offices
• Garda stations
• Post Offices
• Online at www.sligococo.ie or www.sligoborough.ie

People are encouraged to check at any of these locations even if they have been previously listed on the register. There will also be a series of information meetings held around the county. Details of these can be found in the local press and on the websites or by contacting 071 9111012.

People may also be entitled to a Postal Vote. Anyone who wishes to be included on the Postal Voters list should apply as soon as possible as there is a very short timeframe for applying for inclusion on the Supplementary Voters List after the election is called. Also, people who are ordinarily resident in hospitals, nursing homes or similar institutions may apply to have their name included in a Special Voters List which will entitle them to cast their vote at their place of residence.

Application forms for the register are available from Corporate Services by calling 071 9111012 or for download from the county or borough websites and remember if you are not on the register you cannot vote in upcoming elections.

 
- Cllr. Gerry Mullaney, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Devins, Register Field Officers Gerry Jennings, Noel McCarrick and Gerry Conmy, Cllr. Patsy Barry, Mayor Cllr. Cawley and Cllr. Albert Higgins --