Voting in Ireland

To be eligible to vote you must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily resident in Ireland.

Citizenship determines the electoral events at which a person may vote:

• Irish citizens can vote in Dáil, Local, European Parliament elections, and referendums
• British citizens can vote in Dáil and local elections
• EU citizens can vote in European and local elections
• all others can vote in local elections only

The Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides for pre-registration for 16 and 17 year olds but they are not entitled to vote until they reach 18. When they turn 18 they are automatically added to the electoral register.

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 person ordinarily resides. Local Authorities (county, city, and city and county councils) are Registration Authorities. They are responsible for the management and maintenance of the register of electors. Under the provisions of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, the electoral registration process has changed to make it more accessible. Key changes include:

• a move to rolling registration, which means people can update their details any time of year
• the use of Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) in the process to enable a simple identity data cross-check to improve the integrity of register data and enable online applications
• individual registration so that everyone has greater control of their own registration and their own data
• the introduction of reporting and oversight arrangements

In addition, new provisions have been included to:

• enable anonymous registration for those whose safety might be at risk if their details were published on the register
• facilitate electors who have no address at the time of registering
• enable pre-registration for 16 and 17 year olds who will then be added to the register automatically when they turn 18

Everyone is now encouraged to visit checktheregister.ie and confirm or update their entry on the register by adding their PPSN, date of birth and eircode – this will assist registration authorities (that is, local authorities) in their work to ensure an accurate and complete electoral register.

You can inspect a copy of the register of electors by contacting your registration authority directly.

Further information is available on the register of electors in a range of different languages.

You can now use checktheregister.ie to:

• check if you are registered and confirm your details
• update your name or address
• register, or pre-register for the first time
• download forms
• get further information

As well as the option to register or update your details online, you can register with your registration authority by completing a paper form (see document below) and returning it directly to your registration authority.

Link to Registration Authorities.

A person who becomes an Irish citizen, or otherwise changes their citizenship, needs to submit documentary evidence of the change. For this reason, a paper form is required. The form can be downloaded at checktheregister.ie.

Voting at Presidential, Dáil, Seanad, European, local and mayoral elections is by secret ballot on the principle of proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies (Ireland is a single constituency at a Presidential election; Limerick City and County is a single constituency for a mayoral election), each voter having a single transferable vote. Read further information on Ireland's PR-STV electoral system.

A memorandum for the guidance of Returning Officers, intended to assist in the performance of their duties at Dáil elections. This is produced by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Manual for Presiding Officers at a Dáil Election

A manual for Presiding Officers, intended to assist in the performance of their duties at Dáil elections, is produced. This is produced by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

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