Amid Threats, A Local TD Is Pushing For Safeguards With Proposed Legislation To Shield Candidates' Home Addresses

Tuesday, 27 February 2024 15:40

By Martin Osborne

She said local representatives are often at the receiving end of threats.

Local election candidates should not have to disclose their home address on nomination and ballot papers.

That's according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.

She said local representatives are often at the receiving end of threats.

Whitmore expressed her personal experience, stating that seeing a home address published on a ballot paper can induce feelings of vulnerability, especially for those with young children.

The proposed legislation, titled the Electoral (Home Address of Candidates) Bill 2024, seeks to amend existing laws governing election procedures.

If passed, it would eliminate the practice of publishing candidates' addresses on public documentation, including nomination papers, ballot papers, and postal ballots.

Whitmore highlighted the disproportionate impact of such harassment on female politicians and members of migrant communities, noting the potential deterrent effect on their participation in the political process.

"My Bill proposes amendments to several pieces of legislation governing the conduction of elections to local authorities, Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann, the European Parliament and the Presidency," she said.

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