Homeless and registering to vote

If you want to vote in an election in Ireland, you must be:

• Eligible to vote and
• Registered to vote

You can register to vote if you are homeless:

• Online at checktheregister.ie or
• Fill in a paper application form (ERF 2)

What do I need to register to vote?

To register, you will need to provide:

• Your name
• Your date of birth
• Your PPS number
• An address - when you register, you can state that you have ‘no fixed address’. But you will need to tell your local authority the area where you live and spend most of your time. This will affect where you vote.

If you are in Dublin and want to register online, you will need to provide an address or Eircode – see ‘How to get an address for voting’ below.

PPS number

You have to provide a PPS number when you register to vote.

If you do not give a PPS number, you must get your paper application form (ERF 2) and identity witnessed at a local Garda station. You should bring your ID with you.

When you register to vote, you can state that you have ‘no fixed address’.

However, if you are in Dublin and want to register online, you will need to provide an address or Eircode.

You can get an address and Eircode to register to vote using the free An Post Address Point service. You don’t have to be in Dublin to use this services.

If you have no address, your local authority will contact you to arrange for you to collect your polling card at one of their offices.

You do not need a polling card to vote.

You need to bring ID to vote even if you have a polling card.

If you have no address where you can receive post, your local authority will contact you to arrange for you to collect your polling card at one of their offices.

If you used an address or Eircode to register then your polling card will be sent to that address.

If you did not get a polling card, you can find your polling station on your local authority’s website.

You can update your details online at checktheregister.ie.

If you are homeless, you can also use the paper form ERF 2 to update your details.

Your PPS number and date of birth will not be published on the electoral register.

The Register of Electors is a public document. However, your PPS number and your date of birth will not be published.

If you are concerned that having your name and location published would put you in danger, you can apply to be an anonymous elector with form PV7.

You can find more information about:

• Voting in a local election
• Voting in a general election
• Voting in a referendum