Electoral Commission launches information campaign on upcoming referenda
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The campaign for two referenda on the issues of family and care is now officially underway, as the Electoral Commission launched its independent information campaign.
The referenda, due to take place on March 8, are around amending the Constitution to expand the definition of the family, as well as removing the reference to the woman's place in the home and replacing it with a recognition of care.
Launching the information campaign in Dublin, chair of the Electoral Commission Ms Justice Marie Baker said that the two referenda are "important votes" that will shape future laws and court decisions.
As part of its campaign, a booklet containing details of the two referendum proposals will be delivered to approximately 2.3 million homes across the State.
The booklet itself sets out the two referendum proposals, alongside detailing the legal effects of both a yes vote and a no vote.
In particular, there have been questions raised about the wording of the expansion of the definition of the family. This has primarily come due to the use of the term “durable relationships” as a basis for a family, under the referendum proposals.
Asked about this wording, Ms Baker said that the term would likely be determined by the courts, but that “durable” is a term commonly found in case law surrounding families.
“There have been a few cases in the courts in the last few years, judgments from the Supreme Court and judgments from the High Court, which have identified the various indicators as to durability in a relationship,” Ms Baker said.
“There are all kinds of things, some of them are subjective and some of them are objective.
“Durability can sometimes be how you’re treated by other people. Are you invited as a couple to weddings? Do people send you postcards, Christmas cards, to both of you?
“These are indicators of your commitment to one another and durable is in that world as it were.”
Ms Baker was also questioned on how the Electoral Commission planned to deal with misinformation and disinformation around the referendums, telling reporters that the Commission currently does not have regulatory powers in that area — as they are yet to be commenced by the Minister for Housing.
Art O’Leary, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, said that he understood that it is a priority for the Government to enact these powers, but that it was unlikely to happen before the referendums take place on March 8.
However, Mr O’Leary confirmed that the Commission would be able — on an informal basis — to work with social media companies to deal with potential misinformation on their platforms.
Asked about the potential for a lower turnout at the referendum, due to it not being paired with a larger electoral event, Ms Baker said that she isn’t concerned about a low turnout.
“I wouldn’t say I’m worried that people won’t turn out to vote, but it would be gratifying if people did come to express their views on these two proposals,” Ms Baker said.
Tim Carey, head of electoral operations at the Commission, said that the body has a function to increase turnout at democratic events. However, there will not be a specific turnout target set for the upcoming referenda.