February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
In recent years, Irish immigrants have been rather more patient, working hard and paying taxes, without benefit of full political rights.
However, the Morrison Visas awarded in the early 1990s allowed recipients to begin a naturalization process in the late 1990s. In many cases, this was too late for the 2000 election. But on the first Tuesday in November, many Irish immigrants — some of whom have been United States residents for up to 20 years — will vote for the first time.
Siobhan Dennehy, the executive director of Emerald Isle Immigration Center, said she was unaware of any special efforts by Democrats or Republicans to get out the immigrant vote in what has been described as the most important election in a generation.
Dennehy, who came to this country in 1987, is herself a first-time voter. “I’m definitely curious about the whole process,” she said.
Although excited about voting on Nov. 2, she’s confused, like many immigrants, about aspect of the American electoral system and critical of some of its shortcomings.
“I’ll miss that opportunity to transfer my vote I’d have in Ireland,” Dennehy said, arguing that the preference voting of proportional representation allowed citizens to express themselves more clearly.
She believes also that the Electoral College gives people the impression that their vote doesn’t necessarily matter. “I still don’t fully understand it,” she said.
One significant difference between the two electoral systems is the registration process. In the United States, the onus is much more on the citizen to enroll and various interest groups organize “registration drives,” a concept alien to people who come from a country where the process is near to automatic.
In Ireland, the local council compiles a draft register each year, then officials go door to door to check it before publishing the full register in April.
“I think a lot Irish people think it’s the same way here,” said Avril Ahearne, a stay-at-home mother of a 13-month-old boy, living in Maspeth, Queens.
For years, some Irish parents regarded their immigrant children as transients, and kept them on electoral rolls. Ahearne, a Dubliner, was in that situation while she traveled and worked outside Ireland. But though registered for a long time, she was never physically present in her native country on an election day. And she has never voted anywhere.
Like many Irish immigrants, she filled out registration forms the day she was sworn in as a U.S. citizen. That was in 2001. It appears, though, that she’s fallen through the cracks. “I expected to get something in the mail. I didn’t get anything, though I haven’t moved in the three years,” she said.
“And I really want to vote,” she said.
Ahearne said she intended to rectify the situation, but she hasn’t long.
Those not registered in New York State must mail in forms (if not presenting them in person) to the local board of elections postmarked no later than midnight on Oct. 8.
In New Jersey and Philadelphia the equivalent date is even sooner, Oct. 4, and in Rhode Island, it’s Oct. 2. Massachusetts residents must register by Oct. 13, while those in Connecticut have until the 19th.
Forms are usually available at libraries, post offices and state agencies or can be downloaded from official sites such as www.elections.state.ny.us
Leaving 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Sebastian’s Church in Woodside last Sunday, Carmel, a native of County Wicklow, said she has had no problems with the mechanics of voting.
“I find it easy. It’s just local, just around the corner,” she said.
She’ll be voting in her second presidential election but detects more excitement than in 2000.
“Things are much more controversial this time,” she said. “If you’re interested, there’s no reason why you can’t be informed. And that’s why I’m rushing. I’m going home to watch ‘McLaughlin.’ “
Mary Sweeney, a native of County Tipperary, leaving Mass with young children, expressed a view found in every democracy. “It doesn’t matter who gets in,” she said. “I voted for Pat Hurley [in the 2003 City Council election]. That was my first time, but I won’t vote in the presidential election.”
Her friend Sinead Doyle, who’s been a citizen for 12 years, took a different view. “I’ve never voted, but I’d like to vote this time,” she said.
Stephen, a County Monaghan native also leaving Mass with his spouse and young children, was looking forward to voting in his first presidential election.
“The low turnout in this country is disgraceful,” he said. “In a lot of countries you can’t vote. People fought and died for the right to vote, including in Ireland.”
He spent a long period in Ireland over the past year and has moved, and though he voted in a 2003 primary, wondered if he was still registered. “I’ll have to check that,” he said.
Stephen also had doubts about the Electoral College. One friend told him that the result in New York State was a foregone conclusion, but he said that didn’t matter. “You’ve got to exercise your rights,” he said.
Dennehy agreed. And despite her qualms about aspects of American democracy, she argued that it’s vital to participate fully.
And she believes that children should learn early about the importance of the vote.
So, on Nov. 2, she’ll bring her 4- and 3-year-old daughters with her into the polling booth.