Electoral Commission visit to Prosper Meath in Navan

Prosper Meath welcomed the Chair of Ireland’s independent Electoral Commission, Ms Justice Marie Baker, to its Navan premises this afternoon where she met with people with intellectual disabilities and spoke with them about voting in the two upcoming referendums on 8th March.

Ms Justice Baker also delivered the first printed versions of the new easy-to-read referendum booklet to the day service users at Prosper Meath. The booklet was co-produced by Inclusion Ireland and outlines in simple terms what citizens are being asked to vote on on 8th March. It also gives information about what happens on polling day and the process of voting.

Ms Justice Baker was accompanied by Electoral Commission Chief Executive Art O'Leary for the session and there were lots of questions asked from the floor.

There was great engagement from the Prosper Meath service users and all enthusiastically raised their hands when asked if they were going to vote on 8th March. For two of those in attendance, they were delighted that they will be using their votes for the first time in the referendum. However, less hands went up when Ms Justice Baker asked who knew what the vote was about.

She said it wasn't simple, but it was her job to try to explain and that essentially they were being asked to vote on the Constitution, a small blue book that she said defines the rights of Irish people, and explained that it can only be changed by a referendum.

In as simple terms as possible she outlined what the family amendment and the care amendment were about and what they were being asked to vote on.