electoral process in ireland

[ards g]

when did all men receive the right to vote in elections in the north & south also is any old electoral roles held in local districts or where

[Elwyn Soutter]

Some men (mainly freeholders) had the right to vote in the 1800s. This was gradually extended at various points in the 19th century. 1918 saw the vote extended from the previously limited categories to all men over 21, and for the first time, to women over 30. In Northern Ireland 1928 saw the age for women reduced to 21 in line with men. (Not sure what the position was in the Republic)

Electoral rolls in Northern Ireland seem very hard to come by. One local electoral office I spoke to said they send the old rolls to PRONI in Belfast, but I have not been able to find them there. I don’t know where they are kept.

[maria087]

In 1922, all women in Ireland (the Republic) aged over 21 had the right to vote.
Some electoral registers are available - search for Dublin City's Pearse Street library and you can see the records for Dublin 1939/40 online.

[aghadowey]

Electoral rolls in Northern Ireland seem very hard to come by. One local electoral office I spoke to said they send the old rolls to PRONI in Belfast, but I have not been able to find them there. I don’t know where they are kept.

One local office told me they had them but not really available to the public.

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   1793 Relief Act gave everyone who was a £2 "freeholder" the right to vote but Catholics could not stand for election. In 1829 an act allowed Catholics to stand but shortly after this the property requirement was increased to £10. I'm not sure when this was abolished. You had to be a £20 "freeholder" to stand for election

Regards

[eadaoin]

Electoral Rolls for many (but not all) counties are held in the National Archive in Dublin - mostly from mid 1920s on.

You have to order them up in advance as they're held off-site.

regards eadaoin

[ards g]

Thanks all for your helpful input will do the rounds of local electoral offices/councils first( banbridge & belfast),as due to health don't know when I would get to NAi

[aghadowey]

You can check PRONI's e-catalogue at www.proni.gov.uk to see if they hold any electoral lists. The National Archives, Dublin also has a searchable online catalogue.