An Coimisiún has launched a public consultation on its new Research Programme 2027 – 2030 and is encouraging anyone with an interest in democracy and elections to share their perspectives by answering five short questions available at https://www.electoralcommission.ie/public-consultations/ before the deadline of Monday 7 December at 5pm.

This will be An Coimisiún’s second Research Programme since its establishment in 2023. It will guide An Coimisiún’s research programme over the coming years, helping to deepen understanding of Ireland’s democratic processes, identify emerging challenges, and support evidence-based policy recommendations in line with its research functions under the Electoral Reform Act.

An Coimisiún’s first Research Programme concluding at the end of this year has already delivered a range of significant research including:

• the establishment of Ireland’s first National Election and Democracy Study (NEDS) with over 15000 people surveyed about their views and experiences of elections and referendums. The data is publicly available through www.neds.ie. 
• New research and recommendations to Government on candidates’ addresses on the ballot paper, on election postering, and on electoral participation and inclusion.
• Five Post Electoral Event Reviews conducted & published, covering all Ireland’s electoral events since 2024.

In addition, An Coimisiún has partnered with Taighde Éireann, Research Ireland to support research on electoral participation and with the CSO on measuring public trust in elections. A new Democracy and Elections Prize is also now awarded each year at the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Research on postal and advance voting, reducing the voting age, electoral turnout and the May 2026 bye-elections will also be published in the coming months.

Dr. Mary-Clare O’Sullivan, head of research and remocratic resilience at An Coimisiún Toghcháin said:“Our second Research Programme will guide An Coimisiún’s research work to 2030. Building on the progress made to date, we want to ensure it includes the research topics that matter most for the future of democracy in Ireland.

“Through our research we aim to deepen understanding and generate debate on democratic processes, support our work to increase democratic participation, and contribute to building democratic resilience and supporting electoral integrity.

“We are inviting anyone with an interest in Ireland’s democracy to participate and share their ideas.”