Extra polling stations needed in Portlaoise ahead of general election say councillors
Councillors have called for polling stations to be set up in Saint Francis School and the Dunamase College, which they say would encourage more people out to vote on Friday 29 November.
THE County Registrar Rory Hanniffy is to be asked to engage with the management of Saint Francis School and Dunamase College to seek their permission to allow polling stations to be located in the schools ahead of the general election polling day on Friday 29 November.
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley made the request at the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District Council meeting.
She said the two schools should be used for polling stations to allow people from that part of Portlaoise town cast their votes on polling day.
Cllr Dwane Stanley said: “Years ago, where Saint Paul’s School used to be, where Saint Francis School is now, there was always a polling station. It was very handy for people living in the Saint Brigid’s area and those living along the Borris Road.
“Five years ago, I raised a similar issue around polling stations in the Knockmay area because people living along the Mountrath Road were having to go across town to Summerhill to cast their votes. To be fair to the county register at the time, they listened to our views and put extra provisions in place to prevent people having to go all the way across town to vote.”
She said there are now more people living in the centre of the town area such as in Golden Croft.
“People in there,” she said, “are telling me it’s too much hassle for them to get from the centre of town all the way over to Sumnmerhill, if they have to walk, or alternatively they’re paying for a taxi to take them there, which they’re not going to do.
“We have to make it easy for people to try and come out to exercise their democratic right. I’m sure the principals of both schools would facilitate and support the setting up of polling stations in their schools. It’s only very five years that we need to accommodate people to come out and vote, in general and local elections.”
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald agreed.
She said: “There was always a polling station at the old technical school, now Dunamase College. Not everyone is going to pay for a taxi to vote. We should be encouraging everyone out to vote. It’s not right the lengths people have to go to. It’s not fair on people.”
Cathaoirleach of the district council cllr Willie Aird also agreed.
He said: “We’re trying to encourage people to come out and vote, not put obstacles in their way. I also think they should be running some sort of a service for people voting that don’t have their own transport.”
