Voting in Ireland: Who Can Vote and How

The Irish voting system

Ireland uses Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote (PR-STV) — one of the most democratic electoral systems in the world. Voters rank candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3...) rather than just picking one. This means your vote is unlikely to be "wasted" — if your first preference is eliminated, your vote transfers to your second preference, and so on.

Who can vote in what elections?

• Dáil (general) elections — Irish citizens only, aged 18+
• Presidential elections — Irish citizens only, aged 18+
• Seanad elections — limited electorate (graduates of certain universities and Oireachtas members)
• Local elections — all residents aged 18+, including non-Irish citizens
• European Parliament elections — EU citizens aged 18+ resident in Ireland
• Referendums — Irish citizens only

How to register to vote

1. Check if you're already registered at checktheregister.ie
2. If not, register online at voter.ie — you'll need your PPSN and Eircode
3. Registration closes approximately 15 days before any election
4. You vote at your designated polling station (shown on your polling card) on election day

On election day

Bring your polling card (sent in the post) and a form of ID. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm. You'll be given a ballot paper — number the candidates in your order of preference. You must number at least one candidate; you can number as many as you like. Fold and place in the ballot box. That's it.

Finding your elected representatives

You can find your local TDs (national representatives), Senators, and councillors at oireachtas.ie. All TDs and Senators have contact details published and are generally accessible to constituents. Constituency clinics (regular drop-in sessions where politicians meet voters) are held regularly across the country.