Galway to host first ever voter registration pop-up ahead of May by-election
Sunshine and a busy May bank holiday weekend may be on the cards, but Galway residents can also tick voter registration off their to-do list at Ireland’s first voter registration pop-up.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin will host a voter registration pop-up and information booth in Eyre Square from over the bank holiday weekend.
The independent electoral commission is encouraging people to register ahead of the Galway West by-election on May 22.
Located in Eyre Square, the kiosk will be open from 12pm to 5pm on May 1 and May 2; from 11am to 4pm on May 4 and 5; while it will be closed on May 3.
Assistance will be available for first-time voters to register using iPads and to answer questions about the election process. A mock polling booth and ballot box will also be in place to demonstrate how to correctly cast a vote.
Opening day will feature live music, competitions and a live broadcast from Galway Bay FM.
The initiative marks the first event of its kind in Ireland.
Chief executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Art O’Leary, encouraged voters to take part: “We want people to know that every vote counts. Your vote is your voice, so don’t forget to use it to decide who the new TD for Galway West will be.”
So far, the candidates are: Sinn Fein’s Mark Lohan, Independent Ireland Councillor Noel Thomas; Independent Councillor Tom Welby; Green Party representative Niall Murphy; Independent Sheila Garrity; Labour Councillor Helen Ogbu; Aontú’s Orla Nugent; Social Democrats candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich; Fine Gael’s Seán Kyne; Independent Mike Cubbard; Fianna Fáil’s Cillian Kean; Irish People Party’s AJ Cahill; People Before Profit Denman Rooke; and Independent Michael Ryan.