wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,203
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on May 24, 2018 13:00:08 GMT
Ireland faces another big vote tomorrow, whether to repeal the 8th Amendment to the Constitution.
Those who have lived abroad for less the 18 months can vote, they are travelling from all over the world to get back in time. The same thing happened in the same sex marriage vote.
VOTE. Otherwise stay quiet.
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Post by hockeymom4 on May 24, 2018 13:25:43 GMT
Amazing!!
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Post by papersilly on May 24, 2018 13:30:36 GMT
Now THAT brings tears to my eyes! Go #hometovote!
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Post by Merge on May 24, 2018 13:44:54 GMT
That's amazing. I hope they're successful.
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685 
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Post by ginacivey on May 24, 2018 13:49:41 GMT
that is amazing
truly
we can't even get people to drive 2 miles to a polling place
no matter the election/issue
gina
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Post by iamkristinl16 on May 24, 2018 13:57:41 GMT
Don't they have a way to do absentee ballots? Also, are they voting to make abortions legal? Or illegal?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:22:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2018 13:59:37 GMT
Don't they have a way to do absentee ballots? Also, are they voting to make abortions legal? Or illegal? Legal.
Also to stop women being refused life saving treatment because they're pregnant.
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Post by joteves on May 24, 2018 14:08:15 GMT
We had a referendum in 2007 that legalized abortion in the first 10 weeks (Portugal). Hope things finally change in Ireland too!!
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on May 24, 2018 14:13:53 GMT
Wow. Powerful stuff. I'm glad so many people are making the effort.
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Post by apmom on May 24, 2018 14:33:29 GMT
My dd’s boyfriend came home yesterday to vote tomorrow. We don’t allow ex-pats to vote so you can only vote if you’re on the register. My mom will make any excuse not to vote tomorrow so my dd will pick her up after work and bring her or I’ll bring her later. She doesn’t agree with abortion but that isn’t what the referendum is all about. I will be voting at 7:30am
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,203
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on May 24, 2018 15:18:50 GMT
Don't they have a way to do absentee ballots? Also, are they voting to make abortions legal? Or illegal? No, no absentee ballots for expats. They are voting to decide if the following wording is removed from the Constitution, which was added in 1983 with a vote of 67% in favour. This is the first time anyone under 54 gets to have a say.
The state acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.
If the vote is yes, the Irish Government will bring in legisation so "women could access a termination within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
However, beyond 12 weeks, abortions would only be permitted where there is a risk to a woman's life or of serious harm to the physical or mental health of a woman, up until the 24th week of pregnancy.
Terminations would also be permitted in cases of fatal foetal abnormality." BBC
Over the years other amendments were added to deal with other issues, like whether Irish women could be stopped from travelling or getting information.
The BBC has a lot of articles covering different aspects.
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,748
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Post by jayfab on May 24, 2018 15:29:34 GMT
Wow, how amazing!
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Post by colleen on May 24, 2018 17:54:22 GMT
God, I love the Irish!
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Post by busy on May 24, 2018 18:08:32 GMT
Ireland faces another big vote tomorrow, whether to repeal the 8th Amendment to the Constitution.
Those who have lived abroad for less the 18 months can vote, they are travelling from all over the world to get back in time. The same thing happened in the same sex marriage vote.
VOTE. Otherwise stay quiet.
It's very admirable and kudos to anyone who would do that. But "VOTE. Otherwise stay quiet." is not that simple for everyone. First of all, being able to travel internationally to vote (and to live abroad in the first place) takes a level of resources that many/most voters simply don't have. Second, in the US, there are a lot of people who would like to vote but are more or less disenfranchised because conservatives continue to work to make voting more and more difficult (and it's no mistake that the voters who are excluded are largely low income and/or non-white; disparate impact of the regulations is absolutely the GOP's goal). If you're barely making it, don't have your own transportation, work a couple minimum wage jobs, etc. - the chances that you are able to vote are pretty low. No matter how much you may believe in something, you're probably not going to do it if you are likely to lose your job if you do. I don't think it's right to tell them to shut up when the system is stacked against them. There are also a lot of people who just don't vote because they don't care. They can quit their bitching if things don't go the way they want, but to lump everyone who doesn't vote into that category isn't right or fair IMO. |
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Post by Jen in NCal on May 24, 2018 19:25:32 GMT
Now THAT brings tears to my eyes! Go #hometovote! Mine too! I'm all goose-bumpy reading the tweets. |
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
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Post by zella on May 24, 2018 20:09:06 GMT
I have a friend from high school who had lived in Ireland for, I think 20+ years. He recently moved to Dundee, Scotland, as it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to afford rental housing. He is en route to Ireland to vote. I believe it is 6 trains and a ferry. Quite the journey.
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Post by claudia123 on May 24, 2018 21:08:01 GMT
Ireland faces another big vote tomorrow, whether to repeal the 8th Amendment to the Constitution.
Those who have lived abroad for less the 18 months can vote, they are travelling from all over the world to get back in time. The same thing happened in the same sex marriage vote.
VOTE. Otherwise stay quiet.
It's very admirable and kudos to anyone who would do that. But "VOTE. Otherwise stay quiet." is not that simple for everyone. First of all, being able to travel internationally to vote (and to live abroad in the first place) takes a level of resources that many/most voters simply don't have. Second, in the US, there are a lot of people who would like to vote but are more or less disenfranchised because conservatives continue to work to make voting more and more difficult (and it's no mistake that the voters who are excluded are largely low income and/or non-white; disparate impact of the regulations is absolutely the GOP's goal). If you're barely making it, don't have your own transportation, work a couple minimum wage jobs, etc. - the chances that you are able to vote are pretty low. No matter how much you may believe in something, you're probably not going to do it if you are likely to lose your job if you do. I don't think it's right to tell them to shut up when the system is stacked against them. There are also a lot of people who just don't vote because they don't care. They can quit their bitching if things don't go the way they want, but to lump everyone who doesn't vote into that category isn't right or fair IMO. That's the whole point though. There are women in Ireland who don't have the resources to travel abroad for abortions they desperately need or want and so are forced to carry pregnancies that are detrimental to their health and well being. As far as I am aware people are not being shamed for not making it home to vote and there are facebook groups with people paying for others to make long, arduous journeys home so the women of Ireland don't have to ever again. 9 women every single day fly abroad to access what should be basic medical care and every person who made the journey home should be applauded, which is not the same as shaming those who can't. #repealtheeigth |
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Post by busy on May 24, 2018 21:18:31 GMT
It's very admirable and kudos to anyone who would do that. But "VOTE. Otherwise stay quiet." is not that simple for everyone. First of all, being able to travel internationally to vote (and to live abroad in the first place) takes a level of resources that many/most voters simply don't have. Second, in the US, there are a lot of people who would like to vote but are more or less disenfranchised because conservatives continue to work to make voting more and more difficult (and it's no mistake that the voters who are excluded are largely low income and/or non-white; disparate impact of the regulations is absolutely the GOP's goal). If you're barely making it, don't have your own transportation, work a couple minimum wage jobs, etc. - the chances that you are able to vote are pretty low. No matter how much you may believe in something, you're probably not going to do it if you are likely to lose your job if you do. I don't think it's right to tell them to shut up when the system is stacked against them. There are also a lot of people who just don't vote because they don't care. They can quit their bitching if things don't go the way they want, but to lump everyone who doesn't vote into that category isn't right or fair IMO. That's the whole point though. There are women in Ireland who don't have the resources to travel abroad for abortions they desperately need or want and so are forced to carry pregnancies that are detrimental to their health and well being. As far as I am aware people are not being shamed for not making it home to vote and there are facebook groups with people paying for others to make long, arduous journeys home so the women of Ireland don't have to ever again. 9 women every single day fly abroad to access what should be basic medical care and every person who made the journey home should be applauded, which is not the same as shaming those who can't. #repealtheeigth I'm not even really talking about the Irish vote - I'm talking about the common sentiment of "Vote or you don't get to have an opinion." |
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Post by lisae on May 24, 2018 21:29:40 GMT
Glad to see so many people participating in your democratic process. If only we could turn out so much enthusiasm for our vote particularly as most districts have given people many options to vote now. It will be interesting to see how your vote turns out. Please keep us posted.
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Post by apmom on May 24, 2018 22:22:47 GMT
Well my 20 yr old dd called to my mom this evening to explain how important a yes vote is for her, her sisters and cousins - all of my mom’s granddaughters. They both cried, my dd crying because of the injustice to women and my mom because she feels that all abortions will be her fault if she votes yes. My dd will bring her to vote tomorrow night as she’ll be minding my brothers kids during the day. It’s going to be very close. Our divorce referendum only got through by around 9000 votes in 1995. It wasn’t the end of the world as we know it then and this won’t be either.
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Post by birukitty on May 24, 2018 23:05:22 GMT
Ireland faces another big vote tomorrow, whether to repeal the 8th Amendment to the Constitution.
Those who have lived abroad for less the 18 months can vote, they are travelling from all over the world to get back in time. The same thing happened in the same sex marriage vote.
VOTE. Otherwise stay quiet.
It's very admirable and kudos to anyone who would do that. But "VOTE. Otherwise stay quiet." is not that simple for everyone. First of all, being able to travel internationally to vote (and to live abroad in the first place) takes a level of resources that many/most voters simply don't have. Second, in the US, there are a lot of people who would like to vote but are more or less disenfranchised because conservatives continue to work to make voting more and more difficult (and it's no mistake that the voters who are excluded are largely low income and/or non-white; disparate impact of the regulations is absolutely the GOP's goal). If you're barely making it, don't have your own transportation, work a couple minimum wage jobs, etc. - the chances that you are able to vote are pretty low. No matter how much you may believe in something, you're probably not going to do it if you are likely to lose your job if you do. I don't think it's right to tell them to shut up when the system is stacked against them. There are also a lot of people who just don't vote because they don't care. They can quit their bitching if things don't go the way they want, but to lump everyone who doesn't vote into that category isn't right or fair IMO. I disagree. We in the USA don't have to travel internationally to vote and that is the whole point. The fact that these Irish citizens are willing to do that for this particular vote and more than 50% of our citizens couldn't be bothered to travel to their local polling offices which are near their homes in the last National election. I don't buy the excuse that the GOP are making it harder for citizens to vote. Polls are open from early in the morning until late at night. We have early voting which extends the voting time for weeks. Most states if not all have mail in votes so you don't even have to leave your home. I believe the biggest reason people in the USA don't vote is because they don't care. And yes, for those that bitch about how things are in the USA I agree with Wellway-if you don't vote you shouldn't get to complain about how things are. Those of us who do vote and want to change things can volunteer to help those who need transportation to the voting polls for citizens that don't have transportation (I'm planning on doing that this November), or any other ways you can think of. I'm very impressed with the Irish and hope this passes for them. |
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Post by sassyangel on May 24, 2018 23:50:13 GMT
It's very admirable and kudos to anyone who would do that. But "VOTE. Otherwise stay quiet." is not that simple for everyone. First of all, being able to travel internationally to vote (and to live abroad in the first place) takes a level of resources that many/most voters simply don't have. Second, in the US, there are a lot of people who would like to vote but are more or less disenfranchised because conservatives continue to work to make voting more and more difficult (and it's no mistake that the voters who are excluded are largely low income and/or non-white; disparate impact of the regulations is absolutely the GOP's goal). If you're barely making it, don't have your own transportation, work a couple minimum wage jobs, etc. - the chances that you are able to vote are pretty low. No matter how much you may believe in something, you're probably not going to do it if you are likely to lose your job if you do. I don't think it's right to tell them to shut up when the system is stacked against them. There are also a lot of people who just don't vote because they don't care. They can quit their bitching if things don't go the way they want, but to lump everyone who doesn't vote into that category isn't right or fair IMO. I disagree. We in the USA don't have to travel internationally to vote and that is the whole point. The fact that these Irish citizens are willing to do that for this particular vote and more than 50% of our citizens couldn't be bothered to travel to their local polling offices which are near their homes in the last National election. I don't buy the excuse that the GOP are making it harder for citizens to vote. Polls are open from early in the morning until late at night. We have early voting which extends the voting time for weeks. Most states if not all have mail in votes so you don't even have to leave your home. I believe the biggest reason people in the USA don't vote is because they don't care. And yes, for those that bitch about how things are in the USA I agree with Wellway-if you don't vote you shouldn't get to complain about how things are. Those of us who do vote and want to change things can volunteer to help those who need transportation to the voting polls for citizens that don't have transportation (I'm planning on doing that this November), or any other ways you can think of. I'm very impressed with the Irish and hope this passes for them. So legal permanent residents who don't get to vote, aren't allowed to have an opinion either? Most of us are already disenfranchised from voting in our own countries, my country in particular, makes it impossible for me to vote as an ex-pat, yet still a citizen. I'm still a citizen and I still care what happens there, but due to a compulsory voting system and no real absentee voting for us, I can't. I also care about what happens in the country where I live and pay taxes. I think that entitles me to an opinion. It isn't that simple for everyone, unfortunately. |
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Post by busy on May 24, 2018 23:59:06 GMT
It's very admirable and kudos to anyone who would do that. But "VOTE. Otherwise stay quiet." is not that simple for everyone. First of all, being able to travel internationally to vote (and to live abroad in the first place) takes a level of resources that many/most voters simply don't have. Second, in the US, there are a lot of people who would like to vote but are more or less disenfranchised because conservatives continue to work to make voting more and more difficult (and it's no mistake that the voters who are excluded are largely low income and/or non-white; disparate impact of the regulations is absolutely the GOP's goal). If you're barely making it, don't have your own transportation, work a couple minimum wage jobs, etc. - the chances that you are able to vote are pretty low. No matter how much you may believe in something, you're probably not going to do it if you are likely to lose your job if you do. I don't think it's right to tell them to shut up when the system is stacked against them. There are also a lot of people who just don't vote because they don't care. They can quit their bitching if things don't go the way they want, but to lump everyone who doesn't vote into that category isn't right or fair IMO. I disagree. We in the USA don't have to travel internationally to vote and that is the whole point. The fact that these Irish citizens are willing to do that for this particular vote and more than 50% of our citizens couldn't be bothered to travel to their local polling offices which are near their homes in the last National election. I don't buy the excuse that the GOP are making it harder for citizens to vote. Polls are open from early in the morning until late at night. We have early voting which extends the voting time for weeks. Most states if not all have mail in votes so you don't even have to leave your home. I believe the biggest reason people in the USA don't vote is because they don't care. And yes, for those that bitch about how things are in the USA I agree with Wellway-if you don't vote you shouldn't get to complain about how things are. Those of us who do vote and want to change things can volunteer to help those who need transportation to the voting polls for citizens that don't have transportation (I'm planning on doing that this November), or any other ways you can think of. I'm very impressed with the Irish and hope this passes for them. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but there are lots of studies out there that support what I’m saying. I’ve always been able to vote, but I also fully recognize I’ve had a privileged life. I’ve never experienced the circumstances that are commonly cited by non-voters. It’s easy to have strong convictions when your life allows it. Less so when you may have to choose between being able to provide food and shelter your kids and voting. |
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Post by birukitty on May 25, 2018 1:35:00 GMT
I disagree. We in the USA don't have to travel internationally to vote and that is the whole point. The fact that these Irish citizens are willing to do that for this particular vote and more than 50% of our citizens couldn't be bothered to travel to their local polling offices which are near their homes in the last National election. I don't buy the excuse that the GOP are making it harder for citizens to vote. Polls are open from early in the morning until late at night. We have early voting which extends the voting time for weeks. Most states if not all have mail in votes so you don't even have to leave your home. I believe the biggest reason people in the USA don't vote is because they don't care. And yes, for those that bitch about how things are in the USA I agree with Wellway-if you don't vote you shouldn't get to complain about how things are. Those of us who do vote and want to change things can volunteer to help those who need transportation to the voting polls for citizens that don't have transportation (I'm planning on doing that this November), or any other ways you can think of. I'm very impressed with the Irish and hope this passes for them. So legal permanent residents who don't get to vote, aren't allowed to have an opinion either? Most of us are already disenfranchised from voting in our own countries, my country in particular, makes it impossible for me to vote as an ex-pat, yet still a citizen. I'm still a citizen and I still care what happens there, but due to a compulsory voting system and no real absentee voting for us, I can't. I also care about what happens in the country where I live and pay taxes. I think that entitles me to an opinion. It isn't that simple for everyone, unfortunately. SassyAngel I wasn't talking about people in your situation. My mother is in your situation. She came here in 1965 but kept her German citizenship and never got her American citizenship and has been married to my father who is an American for 58 years. She can't vote in any American election. That is her choice-she wants to keep her German citizenship just in case she ever wants to go back. If she became an American she'd have to give it up. So of course she has a right to her opinion as do you-she and you are unable, by the rules, to vote. I was talking about those who can vote legally but choose not to. I am very aware of poverty and what people have to do to put food on the table. How often they have to choose between buying a prescription or skipping it and buying groceries instead. At one point in my life I was within a hair's inch of going on food stamps myself. My point is with mail in votes available I don't see how people have to choose between voting or keeping a job. A stamp costs less than 50 cents. Polls are open for several days (weeks?) and are open for 13 hours a day from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm. weekdays. With those hours PLUS mail in votes what you are suggesting Busy to me sounds like excuses. I honestly believe the problem in the USA is indifference, lack of education and frustration. That is my opinion. But just in case the poor, the elderly, the handicapped or anyone else do have problems getting to the voting polls (instead of using their mail in votes for whatever reason) I am planning in November to offer rides to anyone who needs one. Anyone else want to join me? |
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Post by lucyg on May 25, 2018 1:50:22 GMT
So legal permanent residents who don't get to vote, aren't allowed to have an opinion either? Most of us are already disenfranchised from voting in our own countries, my country in particular, makes it impossible for me to vote as an ex-pat, yet still a citizen. I'm still a citizen and I still care what happens there, but due to a compulsory voting system and no real absentee voting for us, I can't. I also care about what happens in the country where I live and pay taxes. I think that entitles me to an opinion. It isn't that simple for everyone, unfortunately. SassyAngel I wasn't talking about people in your situation. My mother is in your situation. She came here in 1965 but kept her German citizenship and never got her American citizenship and has been married to my father who is an American for 58 years. She can't vote in any American election. That is her choice-she wants to keep her German citizenship just in case she ever wants to go back. If she became an American she'd have to give it up. So of course she has a right to her opinion as do you-she and you are unable, by the rules, to vote. I was talking about those who can vote legally but choose not to. I am very aware of poverty and what people have to do to put food on the table. How often they have to choose between buying a prescription or skipping it and buying groceries instead. At one point in my life I was within a hair's inch of going on food stamps myself. My point is with mail in votes available I don't see how people have to choose between voting or keeping a job. A stamp costs less than 50 cents. Polls are open for several days (weeks?) and are open for 13 hours a day from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm. weekdays. With those hours PLUS mail in votes what you are suggesting Busy to me sounds like excuses. I honestly believe the problem in the USA is indifference, lack of education and frustration. That is my opinion. But just in case the poor, the elderly, the handicapped or anyone else do have problems getting to the voting polls (instead of using their mail in votes for whatever reason) I am planning in November to offer rides to anyone who needs one. Anyone else want to join me? Thousands of people who wanted to vote in 2016 were disenfranchised by various Republican laws and policies. Some have already been overturned by federal courts. Republicans have stated out loud that their goal is to block Democratic voters. If you can't see that happening, it's because your eyes are closed to it. I'm sorry. |
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,203
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on May 25, 2018 6:42:09 GMT
Sorry ladies, I didn't mean to start a debate on voting. My comment was totally blinkered on the Irish vote. It's a topic that has been debated back and forth in Ireland for decades, anyone under 54 has never had a vote on the subject. My point, badly worded, was that it was time to stop talking and take the action of voting. It's been decades.
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Post by katelynr439 on May 25, 2018 11:58:25 GMT
Vote or stay quiet is the most asinine concept. Disgusting and disenfranchising.
If you think that way, you need to educate yourself.
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879
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Post by likescarrots on May 25, 2018 14:36:43 GMT
Glad to see so many people participating in your democratic process. If only we could turn out so much enthusiasm for our vote particularly as most districts have given people many options to vote now. It will be interesting to see how your vote turns out. Please keep us posted. not sure if you're in the US, but I would argue that more people would vote in the US if we were voting on issues rather than politicians. |
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Post by birukitty on May 25, 2018 19:48:39 GMT
SassyAngel I wasn't talking about people in your situation. My mother is in your situation. She came here in 1965 but kept her German citizenship and never got her American citizenship and has been married to my father who is an American for 58 years. She can't vote in any American election. That is her choice-she wants to keep her German citizenship just in case she ever wants to go back. If she became an American she'd have to give it up. So of course she has a right to her opinion as do you-she and you are unable, by the rules, to vote. I was talking about those who can vote legally but choose not to. I am very aware of poverty and what people have to do to put food on the table. How often they have to choose between buying a prescription or skipping it and buying groceries instead. At one point in my life I was within a hair's inch of going on food stamps myself. My point is with mail in votes available I don't see how people have to choose between voting or keeping a job. A stamp costs less than 50 cents. Polls are open for several days (weeks?) and are open for 13 hours a day from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm. weekdays. With those hours PLUS mail in votes what you are suggesting Busy to me sounds like excuses. I honestly believe the problem in the USA is indifference, lack of education and frustration. That is my opinion. But just in case the poor, the elderly, the handicapped or anyone else do have problems getting to the voting polls (instead of using their mail in votes for whatever reason) I am planning in November to offer rides to anyone who needs one. Anyone else want to join me? Thousands of people who wanted to vote in 2016 were disenfranchised by various Republican laws and policies. Some have already been overturned by federal courts. Republicans have stated out loud that their goal is to block Democratic voters. If you can't see that happening, it's because your eyes are closed to it. I'm sorry. Actually this morning just after I woke up I realized that I tend to see things as wholly black and white. It's a horrible trait that I have. So my first thought when I heard that over 50% of the people in this country didn't vote last year was because they didn't care about politics. My own sister is this way-the one I don't get along with. She is 56, an American citizen and has not voted once in her life whereas I have voted every chance I can since I was 18. We truly are opposites. Anyway, back to the black and white thing. I do realize that reality in life is that most things are shades of gray. The true answer to why so many people don't vote in this country is a lot of reasons. I admit fully that I was wrong. |
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Post by lucyg on May 26, 2018 0:32:25 GMT
Thousands of people who wanted to vote in 2016 were disenfranchised by various Republican laws and policies. Some have already been overturned by federal courts. Republicans have stated out loud that their goal is to block Democratic voters. If you can't see that happening, it's because your eyes are closed to it. I'm sorry. Actually this morning just after I woke up I realized that I tend to see things as wholly black and white. It's a horrible trait that I have. So my first thought when I heard that over 50% of the people in this country didn't vote last year was because they didn't care about politics. My own sister is this way-the one I don't get along with. She is 56, an American citizen and has not voted once in her life whereas I have voted every chance I can since I was 18. We truly are opposites. Anyway, back to the black and white thing. I do realize that reality in life is that most things are shades of gray. The true answer to why so many people don't vote in this country is a lot of reasons. I admit fully that I was wrong. You don't need to apologize. I'm glad you gave it more thought. Of course there are plenty of people who can't be bothered to vote, but my point was just that some people ARE being blocked from voting, and deliberately so, for political reasons. I'm glad the courts are on top of this problem. |
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