New Irish Citizens Blocked from Voting in Last Presidential Election Due to Certification Delays
New Irish citizens were unable to vote in the last presidential election due to delays in receiving their citizenship certificates. The Electoral Commission's review highlighted this issue and called for legislative changes to improve access to voting processes and ensure equal participation for all citizens.
The Electoral Commission reported that new Irish citizens were blocked from voting in the last presidential election due to delayed certification. Individuals who attended citizenship ceremonies in September 2025 missed the voter registration deadline because their certificates had not arrived.
The commission conducted a review, visiting 100 polling stations. It found 97% of polling stations were accessible to disabled voters, a significant improvement from the last general election. Staff also engaged with members of Down Syndrome Ireland in Kerry and wheelchair users in Donegal to understand their voting experiences.
Recommendations include legislation for the commission to have free access to polls and processes, as current access is hampered, especially regarding special and postal votes. The commission also called for universal freepost and free online voter registration, updated guidance on invalid ballot categorization, and amended electoral data forms to separately record unmarked ballots from those with unclear first preferences. Art O’Leary, Chief Executive, emphasized the need for accessible election processes for all.