The Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides An Coimisiún (The Commission) with a significant research mandate to prepare research programmes and conduct research on electoral policy and procedure including on matters relating to the discharge of its functions.

As a first step An Coimisiún published a Draft Research Programme for public consultation in November 2023, including a commitment to develop a National Election and Democracy Study (NEDS) for Ireland.

The Commission is building a databank to gather the views, attitudes and experiences of the Irish public regarding electoral events, democracy and the factors that influence these. There is a particular focus on factors increasing turnout and political participation, with a view to informing the Commission’s initiatives in these areas.

This data has also informed the separate post electoral event reviews which the Commission is required to prepare and publish after each electoral event with particular requirements to look at the accessibility of the voting process for individuals with disabilities, illnesses or literacy challenges.

The National Election and Democracy Study (NEDS) included questions which were a key focus for political scientists in election studies around whether and how people used their vote and motivations around voting choices.

The data gathered through the NEDS was anonymised and available to provide stakeholders, the public, the media and the political system with high quality information about the state of Ireland’s democracy.

For any questions or comments, email research@electoralcommission.ie

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