Voting in Ireland

Voting in Ireland

Learn about voting in Ireland, who can vote and when

When you are registered to vote in Ireland you may have the opportunity to vote in:

  • Local elections (electing representatives to your local Council)
  • National or general elections (electing representatives to the Dáil) 
  • European elections (electing representatives to the European parliament)
  • Presidential elections (electing Ireland's President)
  • Referenda (a vote by the People on a proposed amendment to the Constitution)

The system of voting in Ireland is 'Proportional Representation' which means that as a voter, you can indicate your first and subsequent choices for the candidates on the ballot paper.

Visit the Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government website for a Guide to Ireland's Voting System.

Further Information

Guide to Ireland - Proportional Representation Single Transferable Vote information leaflet

Information Leaflet on How Ireland’s MEPs are elected in various languages

Information Leaflet on the Register of Electors in Ireland in various languages

Information about government in Ireland provided by the Citizen Information Service

Information about Voting provided by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government