Presidential Elections

The Irish President is elected directly by the people of Ireland for a term of office of seven years. A president may not serve more than two terms. A presidential election must take place within the 60 days before the expiration of the term of office of the outgoing president. If a vacancy occurs before the completion of a normal term of office, the election takes place within 60 days after the occurrence of the vacancy. Voting is by secret ballot and uses the single transferable vote system.

The next presidential election is due to take place in the autumn of 2025. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage makes an order appointing the last day for receiving nominations, the polling day and the period for voting, which must last at least 12 hours between 7am and 10.30pm.

Every person who is an Irish citizen, aged 18 years or over, ordinarily resident in Ireland and included in the Register of Electors on polling day, is entitled to vote at a presidential election.

The main legal provisions relating to the election of the President are contained in Article 12 of the Constitution – see Bunreacht na hÉireann (Constitution of Ireland) and in the Presidential Elections Act 1993 as amended – see Presidential Elections Act, 1993.

It is the duty of the Presidential Returning Officer to conduct presidential elections, and to ascertain and declare the result of elections. Further information on the running of a presidential election is available on the website of the Presidential Returning Officer.

Further information is available in the information leaflet - How the President is Elected.

Further information on the Presidential Election Results 1938 – 2018.