Voting in a referendum
Information
If you are listed on the Register of Electors in Ireland, a polling card will be sent to your home before the referendum date. Your polling card will include your elector number and will tell you where you can vote. It will also include a formal statement explaining what the referendum is about.
If you want to see a full copy of the bill containing the proposal to amend the Constitution, you can do so at post offices and other public buildings. You may also receive information about the referendum from the Referendum Commission.
On the day of the referendum, you must go to the polling station stated on your polling card. There will be information available at the polling station explaining what the referendum is about. You will be given a ballot paper.
Voting is by secret ballot. Your ballot paper will contain short instructions on how to vote and will show the title of bill proposing to amend the Constitution. Your ballot paper will ask you whether you approve of the passing of the bill. You must mark "X" in either the "yes" or the "no" box on your ballot paper. You may fold your ballot paper to hide how you voted and place it in a sealed ballot box. You may only vote once at a referendum.
Rules
Who can vote?
- You must be an Irish citizen.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Your name must be on the Register of Electors.
You will normally be required to vote in person at an official voting centre but you may be eligible for a postal vote if you are:
•An Irish diplomat or his/her spouse posted abroad
•A member of the Garda Síochána
•A whole-time member of the Defence Forces.
You may also be eligible for a postal vote if you cannot go to a polling station because:
•Of a physical illness or disability
•You are studying full time at an educational institution in Ireland, which is away from your home address where you are registered
•You are unable to vote at your polling station because of your occupation
•You are unable to vote at your polling station because you are in prison as a result of an order of a court.
Applications for inclusion on the Postal Voters List must be received by 25 November each year at the latest.
If you are registered as a postal voter, you may vote by post only. You may not vote at a polling station.
For more information see Registering to vote.
Personal identification
Rates
There is no fee for inspecting the bill containing the proposal to amend the Constitution.
Language
Related Documents
- Facilities for Voters with Disabilities
Procedures in place nationally, that help disabled people in Ireland to vote. - Voting Procedure in a General Election
This document describes voting procedures in a general election in Ireland. - Registering to vote
In order to vote in an election or referendum in Ireland, you must be registered to vote. Find out if you are eligible to vote and how to register.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.