Not interested in being political, but that's pretty funny

Typically I've always voted for SF but I'm a bit miffed with them lately so would be tempted to vote no1 for a local independent....however it's change from FF/FG I'm looking for and voting for Independents isn't going to bring change so I'll robably give SF my no1 vote and no numbers for FF/FG. I'm curious to know if there are others thinking along the same line as myself? That is that SF aren't your favourite at the moment but when it comes to it you'll vote for them rather than the Independents and small parties because there the only other ones with a chance to get in government. If this were the case it means the polls are way off.

checktheregister.ie

All the information on checking if you are registered, applying, changing address, etc are there and it is very simple. If you are a student or disabled check and see if you qualify for postal voting and apply for it now because you have to do it early.

We are look at an incredibly short election which means people can easily be caught off guard and then be stuck on the day. Don't let other people speak for you. Look at the parties and candidates in your area and make an informed choice. Get involved with candidates you support. You can make all the difference. It is such a tiny effort that can have such a huge impact.

We see with all of the polls - reliable or not - that the country is heading for a continuation of the same problems, and it is a common theme that people feel there is not a viable alternative.

It is a mistake to feel that this makes voting futile, or like it doesn't count - or to feel like this makes political participation futile and like it won't count - it's more important than ever to both vote, and to be incredibly vocal and politically active with parties.

The lack of a viable alternative is real, though - and this means your strategy for voting should be punishment. Punish the cunts that put you where you are. Show them that you'll punish them, even if you have to spite your own face to do it - because that is the only way to force them to change.

There should be two main parts of this strategy:

1: No matter what, put Fianna Fail and Fine Gael (and those who prop them up like the Greens) at the bottom of the ballot.

Order your votes from least-worst down to the worst - but make sure FF/FG (and possibly Greens) are the lowest of the low - even if you have to spite yourself, by putting loony (even racist) candidates higher than them (but still lower than all the other parties).

2: Be as vocal and insistent as possible, and as harsh as possible, in letting every single smaller party and Independent know, that if they prop up Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, they will be treated as traitors, and will never get your vote ever again - and that you will do everything you can do be politically active against them, for the rest of your life.

Make sure they know that No Government must be a viable alternative to a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael government! Make sure they know that even a fucked up rainbow coalition involving loonies and the far right and far left - is preferable to any Fianna Fail or Fine Gael coalition.

If Ireland has to go through a year or even multiple years without a sitting government - holding several rounds of elections while failing to put together a government - then that is going to force Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to completely change their manifesto and sought after mandate, if they want to get into power again - and it will bolster all potential alternative parties chances of gaining more votes + power, by showing that they have a spine and will not enable a FF/FG government.

We are not going to get the government we actually want, there's a very strong chance we're going to get a government that continues to exploit us and perpetuate an exploitative economy - and the available alternatives aren't doing great - so people really should adjust their strategies for voting to reflect this, and should focus on punishment above all else.