A disinterest in electoral participation has been a problem in Ireland for years and was clearly demonstrated by the low voter turnout in Ireland’s March 2024 referendums.
Our project was therefore dedicated to increasing voter engagement by educating individuals on the importance of participating in elections and empowering them to become active and informed voters. We strove to make the electoral process more accessible and inviting to all. With the Irish Parliament (Dáil) elections aligning with the duration of our project, they became our primary focus, serving as a platform to initiate a practice of voter participation amongst UCD students.
Our approach involved three goals: the first was developing a handbook establishing the mechanics and purposes of voting in an easily digestible manner. The second was conducting a campus survey to help us make the handbook as useful as possible. The third was hosting a voter registration drives across campus to reach students with no obvious link to politics.
Through these efforts, we sought to establish a culture of consistent voter engagement, empowering individuals to participate in the elections that will shape Ireland’s future.