Deadline today: Registration to vote by post in the Family and Care Referendums
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Irish citizens have been asked to vote on 8 March in two referendums to change the Constitution concerning the Family and Care Amendments. For those wishing to vote by post, registration closes at the end of the day today.
Those that are unable to vote in person, can register online or by mail for postal voting. Eligible voters include: those with a disability; students studying outside of where they are registered to vote; members of the Garda and more. The full list of the eligible postal voters can be found on the Galway City Council website.
Proposed Changes
The Family Amendment concerns Articles 41.1.1° and 41.3.1° of the Constitution which deal with the legal recognition of “family” and moves to modify what forms of relationships are legally recognised by the State.
The new Amendment would add the phrase “or other durable relationships” to Article 41.1.1°. It would also remove the phrase “on which the Family is founded” in reference to marriage.
The second referendum–the Care Amendment–proposes to remove Articles 41.2.1° and 41.2.2° which concern a woman’s role in the home in Ireland. A new Amendment would be added and would read: “The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support such provision.”
Yes versus no
Several organisations came forward in favor of the amendments, including the National Women’s Council (NWC). On January it launched its ‘YESYES’ campaign, calling on voters to vote in favor of both amendments.
“We are calling today for the sexist, stereotypical reference to women’s place in the home to be removed from the Constitution and replaced with a recognition of the shared responsibility of care,” said NWC Director Orla O’Connor.
The National Service for UnMarried Parents (TREOIR) joined the NWC in calling for a yes vote. “How the family looks in Ireland is changing. Marriage should not define whether or not you have access to certain rights,” said Sinead Murray, communications officer at TREOIR.
Women and children’s rights group the Countess, however, disagrees. On 3 February, the organisation held a march and rally in Dublin to encourage people to vote no on both amendments. Around 100 gathered to discourage others from supporting the proposed changes.
“They want to delete women from the Constitution,” said Senator Sharon Keogan at the event. “It is an insult to the women of this country.”
Uncertainty abounds
Currently, more voters are leaning towards voting yes to both referendums according to a poll conducted by the Irish Times. The majority of people sampled, however, admitted to not being informed about the proposed changes. In Connacht, 62 per cent of respondents said they know “hardly anything at all” about the referendums.
“There is a serious lack of information available to the public about the referendums,” said Stacey Shriver, Women and Gender Studies Professor in Galway. “I think we could see the referendums voted down just because people don’t understand what’s in them.”
In Galway, students in particular are struggling to know where they can vote in the referendum.
More information on the referendums, their proposed changes and their impacts can be found on the Electoral Commission’s Website.
Voters planning to vote by post have until the end of the day today to apply. Those planning to vote in person have until Tuesday, 20 February to register.
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