Dáil Election Voters

Every person who is an Irish or British citizen and is included in the register of Dáil electors in force on polling day is entitled to vote at a general election.

Polling Information Cards are issued to voters in the days before polling day. The Polling Information Card tells you where to go to vote and the times that the polling station is open. It also tells you what identity documents to bring. You don’t need a Polling Information Card to vote.

You may be asked for evidence of identity at the polling station. These documents are acceptable for identification purposes.

The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2015 introduced a new form of ballot paper for Dáil elections. This is a sample of what a ballot paper looks like.

You should carefully read the short instructions on the ballot paper given to you by the presiding officer. Write 1 in the box beside the candidate of your first choice, write 2 in the box beside the candidate of your second choice, and so on. You should not write anything else on the ballot paper – doing so may invalidate your vote.

Inclusion Ireland has prepared a booklet "Guide to Voting - An Easy to Read Guide".

While the taking of photographs is not specifically prohibited in electoral law the sharing of any photograph of a ballot paper marked or being marked at an election has the potential to compromise the integrity and secrecy of the ballot. The taking of such photographs or ‘selfies’ is not therefore allowed in polling stations.

A voter with a physical illness or physical disability, whose name is not on the postal or special voters list, and who may have difficulty gaining access to his or her local polling station may apply to have his or her vote transferred to a more accessible polling station in their constituency.

Further information for Electors with Physical Illness or Physical Disability.