Date & Time, Location Event: Monday 27th August at 11 am in Voxpro Mahon
Lord Mayor’s Arrival Time: 11am
Cork City Council launches the ‘Shape Your City: Use Your vote’ voter registration campaign which is aimed at foreign workers and immigrants new to Cork City on Monday 27th August. The programme aims to highlight their local elections voting rights, how they can register for voting in the local and European elections and to outline the benefits of becoming active participants in civic life.
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Mick Finn said the city will benefit from newer citizens taking an active role in its development:
“I think people who are new to the city - whether they are working with multinationals,such as Voxpro for a couple of years, or looking to make a permanent home here - make up an integral part of the multicultural nature of life in Cork City. What Cork City Council is doing here today is making it clear that the first step in greater involvement in Cork City is registering to vote. Have a say by registering today!”
The Cork City Council Community & Enterprise Department initiative follows a request from business, education and community representatives in Cork Chamber, Cork Business Association, IBEC, UCC, CIT, the Public Participation Network, and Cork Sanctuary City to better support the inclusion of people who are new to Cork City so they can contribute actively to civic life and influence how the city operates. This initiative is being organised by the Cork City Council
Addressing the gathering Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton T.D., stated:
“The right to vote is central to our democracy. It is important that people who are eligible to vote know they can exercise that right by registering to vote. As Minister for Equality, Immigration and Integration, I think it is great to see local government, businesses and community groups collaborating to encourage voter registration and promote interest in local politics – both of these are highlighted in the Migrant Integration Strategy which I launched last year as vital to improving political participation in modern democracies.
He added: “People who are new to a city such as Cork should feel that they are part of every facet of city life including sport, education, community and cultural events as well as full participation in civic life. That begins with voting to elect new councillors to the City Council in the local elections in 2019.
Social Inclusion Development Worker with Cork City Council, Stephen Murphy outlined what was being achieved by the ‘Shape Your City: Use Your Vote’ voter registration campaign
“Cork is a City of Welcomes and with this initiative, our aim is to support a more politically engaged immigrant community. We hope to increase the number of new voter registrations and to create an interest in local politics within new communities and amongst immigrants. Our message here today is very simple: If you are living in Cork for more than six months you have a right to register to vote and we; with expert guidance from the Franchise Office in Cork City Council can help you to do that!”
To check whether or not your name is on the Electoral Register, Check online at www.checktheregister.ie. Or enquire at your local authority office, local Garda Station, post office, and public library.
For more information on how to register visit www.corkcity.ie/services/corporateandexternalaffairs
Contact for press
Stephen Murphy; 0879814803
