How can you "Use Your Vote"?
Information for Danish citizens living in Ireland
I'm a Danish citizen living in Ireland. Can I participate in the 2009 European Elections?
Yes, you can participate in the European Elections 2009. You have two options:
- You can vote in the European Elections in Ireland
or - You can vote in the European Elections in Denmark
Please be aware that you can only choose one of the above options.
How can I participate in the European Elections in Ireland?
You can participate in the European Elections 2009 in Ireland, if
- You are citizen of an EU Member State,
- Were 18 years or older on the day of the Elections,
- Have been resident in Ireland since before 1 September 2008 and
- Are enrolled on the voting register the "Irish Register of Electors".
If you have registered in Ireland previously you can check if you are registered to vote in the European Elections at the offices of the registration authority and at public libraries, post offices and Garda stations(during working hours). You can also check the register online at www.checktheregister.ie.
If you are not already included in the Register for Electors, you can apply for entry into the supplement to the register. To do so you have to fill in an application form (RFA2), which you can obtain from you City/County Council or download from the "check the register" website (http://www.checktheregister.ie/Portals/128/RFA2%20English%20-%20form.pdf)
As an EU citizen you also have to fill in a form for registration as a European Elector (Form EP1) which you can obtain from your City/County Council or download from the following website: http://www.dlrcoco.ie/gp/European_Elector_Form.pdf
Your application form (RFA2) must be witnessed by a member of the Garda Síochána or, if you cannot go to your local Garda station, by an official of your local county or city council provided you state the reason why you were unable to attend a Garda Station.
Your application for entry in the supplement has to be received by your responsible registration authority at least 15 working days before polling day in order to be considered for the European Elections. Therefore your application has to be received by 18 May 2009.
Be aware:
You can only vote in one country
Ireland OR Denmark
You can vote in the European Elections in Denmark...
If
- You are a Danish citizen,
- Aged 18 years or older on the day of the Elections,
- Are in full possession of your voting rights in Denmark and
- Are registered in the electoral register.
How can I check if I'm registered in the voting register and how can I enrol? Is there a deadline for registration?
Danish nationals residing in Ireland, who have been included in the electoral register pursuant to the regulations concerning Danish expatriates’ right to vote in elections for the Danish Parliament (Folketinget), will automatically be included in the ordinary electoral register in the municipality where they lived before leaving Denmark provided that the inclusion is valid on the 7 June. These EU-residents do not have to apply for an inclusion in the special electoral register administered by the City of Copenhagen.
Danish nationals who are not included and wish to be so, must fill out an application and sent it directly to the National Registration Office in Copenhagen. The National Registration Office must have received the application on Monday the 4 May 2009 at the latest. The application form and guidelines (in Danish) can be found here:
http://www.im.dk/im/site.aspx?p=296&t=visartikel&Articleid=2834
Questions regarding the electoral register can be directed to the municipality of former residence in Denmark or to the National Registration Office in Copenhagen.
How can I vote in the European Elections in Denmark?
Voting takes place at the Royal Danish Embassy (Dublin) or at the Danish Consulates in Ireland (Limerick, Waterford, Glounthaune) from the 9 March 2009. The last day to vote is Wednesday the 3 June.
Where can you find more information?
You can find more information on the website of the Danish Ministry of Social Welfare (www.vfm.dk) or you can get in contact with the Royal Danish Embassy in Ireland:
Royal Danish Embassy
7th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court,
Harcourt Road
Dublin 2
Tel.: (01) 475 6404
Fax: (01) 478 4536
E-mail: dubamb@um.dk
Website: www.ambdublin.um.dk
You can also download the information provided on this webpage as an information flyer
