You can apply to the local authority to be included in the Register of Electors and Supplement Register if you are eligible to vote in local, national and European elections and referenda. You can also ask for your personal information to be updated or corrected or ask for a special or postal vote.
Laois County Council is responsible for compiling the Register of Electors (voting register) for Laois. The Register is now updated on an ongoing basis. Part 3 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 which recently came into force introduced the new Rolling Register of Electors to replace the Draft and Live Registers.
Persons aged 18 or over who are otherwise qualified can register to vote. Persons aged 16 and 17 who are otherwise eligible may pre-register but will only become eligible to vote upon turning 18.
While every resident is entitled to be registered, the registration authority needs to know a person’s citizenship to determine at which elections a person may vote. The right to vote is as follows:
• Irish Citizens: May vote at every election and referendum
• British Citizens: May vote at Dáil and Local Elections only
• Other EU Citizens: May vote at European & Local Elections only
• Non - EU Citizens: May vote at Local Elections only
New applicants can register online via Check The Register and current electors can also check if you are on the register or update their details using the same link.
New applicants to the Register can now provide their PPSN, their date of birth and eircode. The introduction of PPSN’s will contribute to greater accuracy.
Where a person does not have a PPSN or who wishes not to provide it, they will need to complete a paper form which includes an in-person identity check at a local Garda station or at Laois County Council’s offices at Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
The following application forms can also be downloaded hereunder and from Check The Register
Completed forms can be sent to: Corporate Affairs, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, R32 EHP9.
The following forms are also available by contacting Laois County Council by emailing register@laoiscoco.ie or alternatively by contacting 057 866 4105
Please note that the onus is on all electors to check that all their details are correct on Check The Register
If you have any queries regarding the above, please contact our Corporate Affairs Department by emailing register@laoiscoco.ie or call us on 057 866 4105.
