Constitutional Frameworks Week 4 Quiz

Students enrolled in full-time education programs in the State are eligible to vote by post if they are unable to go in person on polling day due to their educational commitments.

A voter can cast a ballot at a Garda station, with a Garda present as a witness, and then return the ballot by post.

Irish citizens serving as diplomats abroad, along with their spouses, are eligible to vote by post if they, as a result of their work, are unable to vote in person.

Prisoners are eligible to vote under the supervision of a prison officer.

This landmark case in 1984 established the right for certain individuals to have special voting arrangements due to their inability to vote in person.

The procedure for special voting outlines the specific requirements, like the need for a special presiding officer and a Garda, when people cannot vote in person.

Individuals who are ordinarily residing in hospitals, homes, or institutions for the physically ill or disabled are eligible to vote under special voting procedures.

If the special presiding officer can't reach a special voter's location, a postal vote can be provided.

The case involved a convicted prisoner challenging the lack of opportunity to vote, arguing it was discriminatory.

This case brought to light the potential for disenfranchisement of prisoners, as they may not have an equal opportunity to vote.

The voting machines used in Ireland's e-voting pilot program were deemed problematic. They had issues with functionality, security, and transparency, leading to a rejection of the system for use in the 2004 elections.

While the voting equipment itself had potential with modifications, it was the e-voting software that posed major issues. Its defects were too significant for the software to be recommended for use in elections.

Every constituency in Ireland must have at least three TDs (Teachta Dála), ensuring a minimum level of representation for each district.

The goal is to have a relatively equal number of people represented by each TD across the country. This aims for a fair distribution of political power.

The boundaries of constituencies are reviewed at least once every 12 years, taking into account population changes revealed by the census. This ensures representation reflects the actual population distribution.

The boundaries of the constituencies are determined by law, ensuring a clear and organized framework for elections.

Each TD represents a specific number of people in their constituency. The goal is to ensure that, as much as possible, each TD represents a similar number of constituents across the country.

The total number of TDs in the Dáil is determined by the population of the country. There's at least one TD for every 20,000 citizens, guaranteeing a certain level of representation for the whole country.

These voters have the right to have their ballot paper marked by a companion, if they wish. If they don't request a companion, the presiding officer will mark the ballot in their presence.

A companion marking the ballot for a blind, incapacitated, or illiterate voter must be qualified to do so, according to Section 103(4) of the Electoral Act, 1992.

If a voter doesn't request a companion or their chosen companion isn't qualified, the presiding officer will mark the ballot, in the presence of the voter and personation agents, as instructed by the voter.

The Electoral Act 1996 mandates that returning officers must make arrangements for wheelchair users to vote, as outlined in Sections 94(1A) and 94(5)(i).

Returning officers must facilitate voters with visual impairments to mark their ballot papers without assistance, as required by Section 94(5)(j) of the Electoral Act 1996.

These regulations outline the specifications for ballot paper templates used in referendums, initially implemented in the 2018 referendum on the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill.

This case was brought to implement the use of tactile ballot paper templates for elections other than referendums.

These regulations specify the ballot paper templates for Dáil, European Parliament, and local elections, implemented first in 2019.

These regulations detail the ballot paper templates used in presidential elections, initially used in 2018.

These templates are designed to help visually impaired voters by providing raised markings that allow them to identify the candidates or options on the ballot.

The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001, Part 3, and the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 introduced provisions for electronic voting in Irish elections.

The first significant implementation of electronic voting in Ireland was in 2002 in Meath, Dublin North, and Dublin West constituencies.

One major objection to electronic voting is the lack of a clear method for auditing or verifying the results, making it difficult to ensure the integrity of the process.

Irish Citizens and other persons in the State as determined by law, British citizens, and other EU citizens with reciprocity, aged 18 or older.

It acts as a 'total code' governing the conduct of Dáil elections.

The Ninth Amendment to the Constitution allows the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) to grant voting rights to non-citizens in Dáil elections, but not Presidential elections or referendums.

It's now continuously updated to reflect changes in citizenship, address, and age.

People who can register and vote without revealing their address, for personal safety reasons.

A young person challenged the law, but the court ruled that an 18-year-old could not vote in a general election because the old register, which limited voting to over 20s, remained effective for a time.

They are considered 'ordinarily resident' at both their home address and their student address.

No, they can only register once, but they can choose where to be registered.

You can vote in person only, at the polling station assigned to you.

Postal voters, special voters, and certain employees or disabled persons can vote under different rules.

Gardaí, Defence Forces, people with illnesses or disabilities, and anonymous electors are all eligible.

Voting by post, but with the ballot paper completed under supervision.

Yes, they are deemed to be ordinarily resident where they would have been living if not in custody.

They can vote at a polling station, but were not previously allowed postal voting.

The state is not obliged to ensure every voter has an opportunity to exercise their right to vote, particularly in the case of prisoners.

The right to vote is 'suspended' or 'in abeyance' for any person during imprisonment, regardless of their status as a remand prisoner, implying a presumption of innocence but lawful custody.

The inability to vote while imprisoned is considered a voluntary act of the prisoner, as they willingly engaged in the actions that led to their imprisonment.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that prohibiting all UK prisoners from voting violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

The decision in Hirst implies failing to make any provision for prisoners to vote, even a partial one, also violates Article 3 of Protocol No 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights.

This Irish Act grants all prisoners, both on remand and convicted, the right to participate in elections using a postal vote.

Prison officers are required to supervise the casting of votes by prisoners, contributing to the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.

To be eligible for election to the Dáil in Ireland, you must be an Irish citizen, at least 18 years old, and not subject to a disability or incapacity.

The Irish Constitution restricts certain individuals, such as the President, Comptroller & Auditor General, and Judges, from holding seats in the Dáil.

The Electoral Act 1992 specifies various categories of individuals who are ineligible to be elected to the Dáil, including EU office holders, members of the Garda Síochána, and certain civil servants.

The 'dual mandate' previously allowed individuals to hold a position in local government and the Dáil or Seanad simultaneously. However, this was abolished in 2001, requiring individuals to choose one position.

To be nominated for a Dáil election, you must have a proposer (often a registered elector), pay a deposit of €500 (optional), and have your name specified on the nomination paper.

The 2002 amendment to the Electoral Act abolished the deposit requirement for Dáil candidates. Instead, they must either be nominated by a registered political party or obtain 30 assenting signatures.

Candidates from registered political parties are exempt from requiring 30 assenting signatures and can have their party affiliation displayed on the ballot paper.

The Irish Constitution guarantees that voting must be done by secret ballot, meaning no voter's choice can be traced back to them.