Types of elections and referendums

  • A referendum gives Irish citizens the opportunity to decide whether or not the law will change. This page explains how referendums work in Ireland.

  • On Friday, 8 March 2024, Irish citizens were asked to decide if changes should be made to Article 41 of the Constitution of Ireland.

  • Who can run for office in a general election? How do you vote? What are the rules around campaigning and election posters? This document explains how general elections work in Ireland.

  • The President is elected directly by the people of Ireland. Read about who can vote, who can stand for election and how the process works.

  • What is a bye-election and in what circumstances is a bye-election held?

  • Gives an overview of how the European elections work in Ireland. Includes who can become a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), how candidates nominated for election to the European Parliament, how members of the European Parliament are replaced and candidate spending and donation limits

  • Local elections in Ireland take place every 5 years and allow your community to elect representatives to local government.

  • The Seanad is the upper house of the Oireachtas (the Irish parliament). This document describes how it is elected, who may run to become a senator, and its functions.
    This document is in: The Dáil, Seanad and President