Strengthen Engagement in Local Elections (IE0059)

Brief Description of the Commitment

Promote understanding of the Irish electoral system and voter registration through open, accessible communications. Encourage gender balance and greater diversity in local elected Councils.

Problem Definition

1. What problem does the commitment aim to address? A potential gap in awareness of the voting system in Ireland, including in particular voting eligibility and recent changes to the electoral registration process, particularly among younger and minority audiences. To address the under representation of women and minority groups in local elected Councils. The public consultation and the civic society and Round Table engagement process carried out to support the development of NAP4 raised various issues with barriers to participation. This consultation highlighted “Removing barriers” including supporting pathways for participation and capacity building as a priority.

2. What are the causes of the problem? Sporadic engagement with the electoral system; people turning 18 and maybe not being aware of the registration process; new arrivals in the country who may not be aware of their voting entitlements and a possible lack of awareness of recent changes to the registration process. Barriers or obstacles to the participation of women and underrepresented groups in local government such as party political culture and practices and traditional views of politics.

Commitment Description

3. What has been done so far to solve the problem? • A series of public awareness campaigns to promote http://www.checktheregister.ie the electoral registration website. • Communications material/website that is fully accessible and in plain English, and adapted for different audiences, e.g. younger people. • Electoral registration information material translated and available in multiple languages. • Funding provided to local authorities to support local action on the electoral register. • Funding provided to Non-Government Organisations, like Women for Election, See Her Elected and the Immigration Council of Ireland, to provide training to and build capacity of women, migrants and minorities to participate in local government. • Funded organisations that support minority and migrant communities (e.g. Immigrant Council of Ireland and other local organisations through the annual call for funding to local authorities). • Funded Women for Election, National Women’s Council of Ireland, and the Immigration Council of Ireland to carry out research into the barriers faced by women and immigrants in running for local election. • Funding provided to political parties and local authorities to undertake initiatives to encourage greater participation of women and minority groups in local government. • Funding provided for the establishment of local and regional level caucuses of women councillors. • As a family/caring friendly initiative, a pilot programme was launched in 2023 to enable a number of local authorities to invest in equipment necessary for hybrid meetings. • Introduced legislation providing for maternity leave for councillors in 2022 and an administration support allowance for councillors eligible for maternity leave to employ someone to help them in carrying out their administrative work in 2023.

4. What solution are you proposing? Support, including through funding allocations, further Local Authority (LA) action on the electoral register, in addition to engagement with a range of stakeholders and the provision of accessible, plain English assets in multiple languages focusing on http://www.checktheregister.ie between now and the local/European elections in June 2024. Working with local government stakeholders, launch a public information/communications campaign in Q1 2024 on the role of the councillor in the context of the work of a local authority. Work to introduce draft legislation to allow for a fuller range of parental leaves for councillors by end 2025. Continue to build the capacity of all people interested in seeking local government election in 2024 and beyond by supporting organisations like Women for Election, See Her Elected and the Immigrant Council of Ireland. Extend programme of funding to more local authorities to facilitate hybrid meetings as a caring/family friendly measure from Q1 2024 and beyond.

5. What results do we want to achieve by implementing this commitment? Improved awareness of the electoral registration process, resulting in a greater number of young people and people from minority groups registered to vote. Greater public awareness of the http://www.checktheregister.ie website. Improvements in data quality of the register. An increased proportion and number of women candidates in the Local Elections 2024 and more women elected to local Councils. An increased number of people from minority groups running as candidates and elected in Local Elections 2024.

Commitment Analysis

1. How will the commitment promote transparency? Greater public understanding, particularly among young people and minority groups, of the electoral registration process and electoral process. The same information will be available to all in an accessible manner and across multiple languages with additional registration options for some groups to support greater participation. Greater public awareness of local government and the role of the councillor, and its accessibility for those interested in running for election.

2. How will the commitment help foster accountability? Supporting Local Authorities will improve data quality and reporting capacity in respect of the electoral register. Local Authorities are required to report annually to the Electoral Commission on work they have undertaken and how they have measured the outcomes. The Electoral Commission will publish a report on the register and its processes annually based on these reports and its own research. A more representative local government reflective of the communities they serve.

3. How will the commitment improve citizen participation in defining, implementing, and monitoring solutions? Proactively engaging with and building the capacity of women and people from minority groups to run for local elections.

Commitment Planning (Milestones | Expected Outputs | Expected Completion Date)

Public info campaign on the role of the councillor Extension of programme to support Local Authorities in investing in facilities to enable hybrid meetings | Campaign has reached target number of people Greater public understanding of role Minimum of 4 additional LAs supported each year | Q1 2024 with website and other public information tools accessible thereafter Annually to December 2025

Further awareness initiatives supported including in relation to http://www.checktheregister.ie | Increase in numbers registered Increase in data quality | Q1 2024