AN ONLINE tool is helping Limerick voters find their mayoral match as the Treaty draws closer to the historic inaugural vote for the country’s first directly-elected mayor.
WhichCandidate is an online platform that helps inform voters about which candidates best suit their values through a straight-forward questionnaire. It was co-developed by Dr Rory Costello, University of Limerick lecturer in Politics and Public Administration and an expert in European electoral and legislative politics.
“It has been almost four-and-a-half years since we have had an election in Ireland. There will be a huge cohort of voters who have never had an opportunity to vote in an election before. Not only that, but these first-time voters will be faced with a fragmented political landscape, with more parties and independents than ever before,” said Dr Costello of the rationale in adding Limerick’s mayoral candidates to the WhichCandidate platform.
“An app like this can help voters to navigate the crowded election field and narrow down their choice to a manageable set of candidates who broadly align with their views.”
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Previously used in general elections, this year the site will focus on the European and Limerick mayoral elections.
In around 20 questions, the website creates a chart of which candidate most closely aligns with the voter’s values, including personal statements from candidates (who also answer the question) explaining their positions on each topic.
The tool also includes links to candidate’s websites, and a facility to fill out a mock ballot in preparation for this Friday’s vote.
