How can you "Use Your Vote"?
Information for Italian citizens living in Ireland
I'm an Italian 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 Italy
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 Italy
You can vote in the European Elections in Italy...
If
- You are an Italian citizen,
- Aged 18 years or older on the day of the Elections,
- Are in full possession of your voting rights in Italy and
- Are registered in the Register of Italian Nationals Resident Abroad.
How can I check if I'm registered in the voting register and how can I enrol? Is there a deadline for registration?
In order to participate in the European Elections, you have to register in the AIRE (Register of Italian Nationals Resident Abroad). Once you are registered in the AIRE you will receive a polling certificate at home. Please bring with you the polling certificate together with a valid Italian document when you go to the polling station. Italian citizens who are temporarily in Ireland will also have the possibility to vote in an appropriate polling station. In order to do so, they have to apply by filling in a form which can be found at the following link:
http://www.ambdublino.esteri.it/NR/rdonlyres/F3D5F31F-72E1-42C6-B35F-FCFF62D4C6D5/0/MODULODOMANDADIVOTO_ELETTORITEMPORANEI.doc
This form must be returned to the Italian Embassy in Dublin by 19 March 2009
How can I vote in the European Elections in Italy?
Italian voters residing in Ireland can also opt, within the timeframe foreseen by the law, to vote for candidates of their country of residence; they may also return to Italy, making use of special travel rates, to vote in the municipality where they have their residence. For more information see the link:
http://www.esteri.it/MAE/IT/Italiani_nel_Mondo/ElezioniEuropee/
Italian citizens in Ireland will be able to vote in the Embassy of Italy (see details below) and in the Italian Cultural Institute (11 Fitzwilliam square, Dublin 2). Polling hours will be:
- Friday 5 June: 5pm - 10pm
- Saturday 6 June: 7am - 22 pm
Where can you find more information?
You can find more information and forms on the webpage of the Italian Foreign Ministry www.esteri.it or you can get in contact with the Italian Embassy in Ireland:
Embassy of Italy
63/65 Northumberland Road
Dublin 4
Tel. : (01) 660 1744
Fax: (01) 668 2759
e-mail: ambasciata.dublino@esteri.it
Website: www.ambdublino.esteri.it
You can also download the information provided on this webpage as an information flyer
