Sir, – There appears to be near on 200,000 full-time third-level students in this country. Although not all of them may be entitled to vote, these young people are the future of this State.
They are encouraged to fulfil their civic duty and use their voice to vote in all elections.
For many of the student body, the recent referendums were their first time voting.
Very many of them do not live in their family home during term times, and study full time and have weekend jobs in the cities where they live. They often do not have proof of their student address, as we know that student accommodation is subject to informal rentals where utilities, etc, are not in the name of all students living in the one house.
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For this reason, I think it is really important to facilitate this voting cohort, and to really encourage our students and young people to vote in the easiest possible way.
Could it be possible for students to register to vote using their college or university, rather than their home addresses? In an ideal world, polling stations could be set up in a college or university. But even without that possibility, enabling students to vote in the area in which they study and live would surely garner greater participation.
To register, they could use their student card, as opposed to a proof of address, and be assigned to the closest existing polling station.
The alternative is, of course, a feasible, robust, secure online voting process, which could be open to all registrees.
I believe it is time to adapt our voting system to allow our students to voice their opinions easily. – Yours, etc,
MARY CORKERY,
Youghal,
Co Cork.