Established earlier this year, An Coimisiún holds a new and significant research role in electoral policy and procedures, and has under its statutory remit the ability to make recommendations to the Government arising from this research.

One of the key objectives of An Coimisiún is that its research will be the product of a wide public debate and that it encourages public engagement and discussions about key issues of Ireland’s democracy and elections.

The draft research programme, published today and opened for public consultation, identifies potential research topics across five strands:

1. Longitudinal survey research and data collection — including the development of Ireland’s first long-term National Election and Democracy Study (NEDS).

2. Electoral law, electoral systems and electoral infrastructure — including research on how the overall number of TDs is determined; the merits of potentially having constituencies of larger than five seats, and whether Constituency Review processes can be improved, including through the use of new technologies.

   Also for consideration within this strand is research on postering for election events; reform of the Electoral Act 1997; the extension of postal voting; replacing by-elections with a list system, and residency requirements and voting, and the operation of the electoral register.

3. Integrity of electoral events — research into the conduct of Post Electoral Event Reviews which will assist An Coimisiún to work towards the enhancement and safeguarding of Ireland’s electoral processes.

4. Education, public engagement and inclusion — looking at the extension of the voting age which has stood at 18 years of age since 1973 and increasing democratic engagement including amongst under-reached groups, the diversity of candidates for elections and ways to increase this, increasing political participation and electoral turnout by people experiencing homelessness.

5. Blue sky/curiosity-driven research — this strand provides an opportunity for researchers and the public to suggest original and innovative research topics falling outside more traditional themes.

People are now being asked to give their views on this draft research programme by 12 January 2024 via the online form, by email to research@electoralcommission.ie or by post to the Electoral Commission, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.

Ms Justice Marie Baker, chairperson of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, said: “The research work conducted by An Coimisiún Toghcháin over the coming years will have the potential to markedly influence the course of electoral reform in this country, at a time in which many questions and challenges pertaining to elections and broader democracy are emerging.

“We want our research to trigger lively public debate around key aspects of Ireland’s democracy and elections to pinpoint what we can do better at home, and to be a global leader in our democratic processes and engagement.”