Postal and Special Voting

Postal and Special Voting

While you are ordinarily required to vote in person at a designated polling station, you may be able to register to vote by post or other means in certain circumstances.

Postal Voting

Postal voting is available in certain circumstances:

Due to physical illness or physical disability

Persons living at home and who have a physical illness or physical disability which prevents them from going to a polling station to vote may apply for entry on the postal voter list by completing form PV1

Due to attending a course of study at an educational institution and living away from the address of registration

Persons attending a course of study at an educational institution in the State on a full-time basis and are living away from their address of registration and are likely to be unable to attend their designated polling station to vote may apply for entry on the postal voter list by completing form PV2

Due to circumstances of work

Persons who, due to circumstances of work, make it likely that they are unable to go to a polling station to vote may apply for entry on the postal voter list by completing form PV2

Due to employment on polling day by the Returning Officer
Due to being a member of the Garda Síochána

A member of the Garda Síochána may apply to be registered as a postal voter by completing form RFB1

Due to being a member of the defence forces

Members of the Defence Forces may vote by post only by completing form RFC1 

Due to detention in prison

Persons unable to vote at a polling station because of their detention in a prison may vote by post by completing form RFG1

All persons in receipt of a postal vote are denoted on the Register with an ‘S’ beside their name.

Special Voting

You may be eligible for special voting if you live in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution and have a physical illness or disability which prevents you from going to a polling station. Being registered for special voting will allow you to vote from where you live. A special presiding officer, accompanied by a Garda, will bring a ballot paper to you so that you can vote. 

To register for special voting fill out and return the form below to
Register of Electors, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co Meath:

Applications to be entered on the Special Voters List must be made by 25 November and renewed annually.
Initial applications, must be accompanied by a medical certificate.