Diaspora Voting Rights

Sinn Fein Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile

This year thousands of American citizens living abroad took part in the 2020 Presidential election. Hundreds of ballots in fact were cast by American citizens living in Ireland. BUT and as there is always a but, Irish Citizens living in the United States are not entitled to vote in Irish Presidential elections. Irish Citizens living in the North of Ireland are not even entitled to vote for their President just 60 miles down the road! The last Irish Government promised to resolve the issues but predictably failed to take the first step in the process. The current Irish Government is saying all the right things on this topic so Sinn Féin will be holding them to their word.

Above is video of Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile a resident of Belfast who is elected to the Senate but cannot vote in a Presidential election raising the issue with the Minister for the Diaspora last week. Once again Sinn Fein is the only party leading on this issue. The United States and many other countries around the world allow voting for citizens living abroad. Its time for Ireland to join the club.