Register of Electors
In order to be able to vote at an election or referendum, a person’s name must be entered on the register of electors for the locality in which the elector ordinarily resides. Registration authorities (County and City Councils) are required by law to prepare and publish a register of electors every year. The register comes into force on 15th February and is used at each election and referendum held in the succeeding 12 months. You can check if you are on the Register here.
Further information about the Register of Electors is available at:
Register of Electors English
Register of Electors Irish
Ireland’s Electoral System
Voting at Presidential, Dáil, Seanad, European and Local elections is by secret ballot on the principle of proportional representation in multi seat constituencies (Ireland is a single constituency at a Presidential election), each voter having a single transferable vote. Further information on the Electoral System and elections is available at:
Guide to Irelands Electoral System
How Irelands MP’s are Elected English
How Irelands MPs are Elected Irish
How Members of Local Authorities are Elected English
How Members of Local Authorities are Elected Irish
Information for Voters with Disabilities
There are a variety of special arrangements in place to assist those with Disabilities to exercise their right to vote. Further information is available at Information for voters with disabilities.
Please note that the information leaflets available in PDF format above are intended as a practical guide and are not a definitive interpretation of electoral law. They set out the law as at September, 2006. Any legislative changes made after that date will be notified on the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Governmnet website. A number of the leaflets are also available in a selection of languages on the Department’s website.