There has been a 128% increase in people adding themselves to the voting register for the 8th Amendment referendum since the marriage equality referendum in 2015.
An intensive voter registration campaign has encouraged 2885 Donegal citizens to apply for the supplementary electoral register ahead of polling day this Friday, May 25th.
In May 2015, 1264 Donegal voters were added to the supplementary register in advance of the marriage equality referendum.
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) estimate that up to 125,000* people nationally have been added to the supplementary electoral register to have their say on the abortion referendum.
James Doorley, NYCI Deputy Director said: “It is really heartening that so many young people responded to the call by NYCI and others and took the opportunity to register at events organised by the USI, ISSU, SpunOut, individual student unions, youth organisations and community groups in recent weeks to ensure they had the right to vote in the upcoming referendum.”
“It is important to note that not all those added to this latest supplement to the register are young voters,” added Mr Doorley. “Some undoubtedly are not in the 18 to 29 age bracket, or are electors changing the location of their vote. However, the indications we received from a number of county councils suggest that a high percentage of those registered are new or young voters.”
“We are confident that this extraordinary level of youth voter registration will be matched by a high level of youth voter turnout. In that regard, NYCI would encourage all young voters to use their democratic right on Friday next and have their say on the important constitutional question being put before the people,” concluded Mr Doorley.
