Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. General Information
What does An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Electoral Commission do?
An Coimisiún Toghcháin is a statutory, independent body, established on 9 February 2023 with responsibility for a broad range of electoral functions set out in the Electoral Reform Act 2022. An Coimisiún is central to Ireland’s electoral system, carrying out a range of existing electoral functions, including:
– the decision-making, oversight, secretariat and supporting services associated with explaining the subject matter of referendum proposals, the promotion of public awareness of referendums and encouragement of the electorate to vote at referendum polls;
– the conducting of reviews and making reports in relation to the constituencies for the election of members to the Dáil and the election of members to the European Parliament;
– responsibility for the registration of political parties; and
– making reports for the Minister in relation to local electoral boundaries.
An Coimisiún is also tasked with several new electoral roles, including:
– preparing research programmes and conducting research on electoral policy and procedure, and providing advice, as required, to the Minister and Government;
– promoting public awareness of, and working to increase public participation in the State’s electoral and democratic processes through education and information programmes;
– overseeing the modernised Electoral Register, making recommendations and setting standards in relation to its maintenance and updating;
– the regulation of online paid-for political advertising, ensuring transparency in respect of online political advertisements during the period of an election or referendum campaign (Legislation not yet commenced);
– responsibility for the investigation and monitoring of online disinformation, online misinformation and manipulative or inauthentic behaviour online during election campaign periods, as well as functions to prevent manipulative or inauthentic behaviours online (Legislation not yet commenced);
– the preparation of ex-post reports on the administration of electoral events.
Who are the Members of the Electoral Commission?
An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent Electoral Commission is made up of seven members. The chairperson is Supreme Court Justice Marie Baker, who was nominated by the Chief Justice.
There are four ordinary members of the Commission who were appointed following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service. They are:
Alex Atwood
John Curran
Professor Caroline Fennell
Maura Quinn
There are also two ex-officio members:
Ger Deering, Ombudsman.
Peter Finnegan, Clerk of the Dáil.
They are supported in their work by an Executive which is headed by CEO Art O’Leary.
Who funds the Electoral Commission?
An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Electoral Commission is an independent public body so we are not under any Government Department or Minister. We are publicly funded through our own independent Vote (Vote 23) and are directly accountable to the Oireachtas with our CEO as our Accounting Officer.
2. Election Information
What are local elections?
Local elections take place in Ireland every 5 years. The purpose of the elections is to elect Councillors to our local authorities.
There are 31 local authorities:
– 26 County Councils – 3 of which are in Dublin (Fingal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin)
– 3 City Councils – Cork, Dublin and Galway
– 2 City and County Councils – Limerick and Waterford
Local authorities fulfil a wide range of functions, including housing, planning, traffic, parks and sports amenities, library services, promotion of arts and culture, roads improvements, funding for community initiatives, fire and emergency services, litter prevention and control and more.
Further information on the roles and functions of local authorities can be found at the following links:
– gov – Local Government: Structure and Functions (www.gov.ie)
– Local government – LGMA
Councillors have a policy making and oversight role in relation to how their local authority operates. They also represent the views of the local community when decisions are being made by the local authority executive.
You can register to vote or update your details at anytime at checktheregister.ie
Who can vote in local elections?
All those who meet the following criteria are eligible to vote in local elections:
– Aged 18 years or over;
– Ordinarily resident in Ireland;
– On the electoral register (You can check this using www.checktheregister.ie)
You DO NOT need to be an Irish citizen to vote in the local elections.
You can register to vote or update your details at anytime at checktheregister.ie
How are the local elections managed?
The local authority Returning Officer manages the election for each local authority. Each local authority meets the cost of running the election.
View contact information for local authority Returning Officers.
What are European Parliament elections?
The European Parliament represents the interests of the 448 million citizens of the European Union. It has legislative, budgetary and supervisory powers and plays an important part in shaping EU legislation, the annual EU budget, and in supervising the work of EU institutions, including the European Commission.
The Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by EU citizens every 5 years.
Seats are allocated on the basis of population of each Member State of the European Union. No country can have fewer than 6 or more than 96 MEPs and the total number cannot exceed 750 (plus the President).
In the most recent European elections held on Friday 7 June 2024, Ireland elected 14 MEPs.
Who can vote in European Parliament elections?
You are eligible to vote in the European elections in Ireland if you are:
– 18 years or older
– registered to vote
– an Irish or an EU citizen who is ordinarily resident in Ireland
Irish citizens residing in other EU Countries can vote in their country of residence.
If you are an EU citizen but have not registered to vote at a previous European election in Ireland you must apply for registration and complete a statutory declaration form, EP1 (available from your local authority). The statutory declarations are sent to your home Member State to make sure people are not voting twice.
What are the European Parliament constituencies in Ireland?
There are 3 European Parliament constituencies in Ireland:
– Dublin 4 MEPs: comprising the counties of Dún Laoghaire, Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin; and the city of Dublin;
– Midlands – North West 5 MEPs: comprising the counties of Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath, and the city of Galway
– South 5 MEPs: comprising the counties of Carlow, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow; the city of Cork, the city and county of Limerick and the city and county of Waterford
Each elector votes in the constituency in which they are registered. You can register to vote or check your make sure your details are correct on the electoral register using www.checktheregister.ie
Why was there an election for Mayor of Limerick in June 2024?
In May 2019, the people of Limerick city and county voted in favour of a proposal for a directly elected Mayor with executive functions. The legislation to create this new role was signed by the President in early March 2024. The Mayor will remain in office for five years. The Mayor can serve a maximum of two terms of office, which can be consecutive or non-consecutive.
Who can vote in the election for directly elected Mayor of Limerick?
To vote in the election for the Mayor of Limerick you have to be;
– 18 years’ old
– Ordinarily resident in the State; and
– Registered to vote within the Limerick City and County Electoral Areas
What is a general election?
Ireland is a parliamentary democracy and voters decide in a general election who will represent them in Dáil Éireann. These elected representatives are called Teachtaí Dála (TDs). These TDs will then vote on who will be the Taoiseach and form the government.
A general election must be held at least every five years. All Irish and British citizens who live in Ireland, who are aged 18 years or over and who are on the register of electors are entitled to vote.
How many TDs will be elected?
There will be 174 TDs elected. This is an increase of 14 TDs from the last general election. The constitution states that there must be a TD for every 20,000-30,000 people in the State.
View more information on An Coimisiún Toghcháin’s work on Constituency reviews.
What are the constituencies in a general election?
There will be 43 constituencies.
The 43 Dáil constituencies were set by An Coimisiún Toghcháin in 2023.
This is an increase from the 39 constituencies from the last general
election.
The Constitution states that there must be a minimum of 3 seats in every constituency. Current legislation dictates that there shall only be 3, 4 or 5 seat constituencies
View An Coimisiún Toghcháin’s Constituency Review Reports.
Who can vote in a general election?
You can vote in a general election if you are:
– An Irish or British citizen
– Resident in Ireland
– Aged 18 or over on the day of the election
– Registered to vote
View more information on voter eligibility on our Voter Eligibility page.
Who is eligible to vote in each type of election in Ireland?
For more information on voter eligibility and who can vote in a General Election please visit our Voter Eligibility page.
I will be out of the country on polling day. Can I vote?
You must cast your vote in your designated polling station on polling day, unless you have applied for a postal vote or a special vote.
3. Candidate Queries
How do I become a candidate to run in a European or local election?
An Coimisiún Toghcháin does not have responsibility for policy in relation to how election candidates are nominated at different elections, this policy responsibility rests with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Day to day management of the nomination process for election candidates at different elections, including acceptance of nomination forms is undertaken by each Returning Officer for the particular type of election.
View contact details for European Election Returning Officers.
View contact information for local authority Returning Officers.
Who can run as a candidate for a general election?
A general election must be held within 30 days of the dissolution of the Dáil.
To run as a candidate, a person must be:
– A citizen of Ireland
– Over 21 years of age
To run as part of a political party they will need to go through the party’s selection procedure.
To run as an independent candidate, they will have to provide a nomination paper to the Returning Officer for the constituency.
View the list of Ireland’s Returning Officers.
For more information on who can run as a candidate and the disqualifying criteria, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have prepared the helpful document ‘How the Dáil is Elected (Lower House of Parliament)’
How do I run as a candidate in a general election?
To run as part of a political party, you will need to go through the party’s selection procedure.
To run as an independent candidate in a general election, you will have to provide a nomination paper to the Returning Officer for your constituency. The Returning Officer for each constituency will decide on the validity of each nomination.
For more information on the nomination process the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage have prepared the helpful document ‘How the Dáil is Elected (Lower House of Parliament)’
View the full list of Ireland’s Returning Officers.
Who are the candidates for my area?
The Returning Officer for your constituency is responsible for the publication of candidate details. An Coimisiún Toghcháin is not in a position to post information regarding each candidate on our website.
View the full list of local authority/returning officer websites with details of candidates standing for election.
Are candidates allowed to canvass on polling day?
There is no legislation to prevent candidates canvassing on polling day as long as they are 50m or more away from a polling station. If you encounter any issues with candidates canvassing close to a polling station, it should be brought to the attention of the polling station staff for your relevant area.
There is a moratorium on election coverage in place from 2pm the day before polling day. This break in election canvassing and coverage applies only to broadcast and print media.
How many local councillors are there in Ireland?
There are currently 949 Local Councillors across the 31 Local Authorities in Ireland
4. Register of Electors Queries
How can I register to vote?
You must be on the Register of Electors to cast your vote. The fastest way to register to vote is online via www.checktheregister.ie or www.voter.ie (Dublin only).
If you are unable or do not wish to register online, you may also do so by filling out an ERF1 Form and posting it to your relevant local authority.
View the list of all local authority postal addresses.
How do I change my address/information on the register?
If you change your address or wish to update your details on the register, you may do so online via www.checktheregister.ie or www.voter.ie (Dublin only)
However, if you are;
– Moving from inside Dublin to any county outside of Dublin, or
– Moving from any county outside of Dublin to inside Dublin
you cannot update your details online and will have to do so through your local authority.
You may also change your address or update your details by filling out an ERF1 Form and posting it to your relevant local authority.
View the list of all local authority postal addresses.
Can I get a postal vote?
Postal voting is provided for in respect of certain categories of person as specified in electoral law.
These include:
– Members of An Garda Síochána
– Members of the Defence Forces
– Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/partners
– Those who are unable to vote in person at their local polling station because of an illness or disability
– Electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person on polling day
– Full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State
– Anonymous Electors or members of the household of the person whose safety would be at risk if their name and address were published on the register of electors
– Prisoners
The relevant forms to apply for a postal vote are available from Check the Register or your local authority. Please see Local Authority contact list.
Your completed form can be returned to your local authority at any time. However, in order to be eligible for a postal vote in Irish elections, your form must be received by your local authority before the deadline which will be announced in advance of an election.
Read more information about postal voting on our accessible voting page.
How do I vote by post?
Once you have submitted the relevant form and documentation, you will receive a set of voting documents comprising:
– ballot papers;
– receipt for the ballot papers;
– an envelope in which to put the marked ballot papers; and
– a larger envelope for sending back the voting documents to the relevant Returning Officer.
To vote:
– You mark a ‘1’ in the box beside your first choice candidate and, if you wish, a ‘2’ in the box beside your second choice candidate, a ‘3’ in the box beside your third choice candidate, and so on. For each ballot paper make sure you start with ‘1’ then ‘2’ then ‘3’ and so on.
– Put your marked ballot papers into the envelope marked “Ballot Paper Envelope” and seal it;
– Put this envelope together with the completed receipt for the ballot paper into the large envelope addressed to the Returning Officer, seal it and post it at once;
– The ballot paper must be posted and cannot be handed to the Returning Officer.
Can I apply to be registered as a Special Voter?
A person residing in a hospital, nursing home, mental health facility or similar institution, who has a disability or illness which prevents them from going to the polling station, can vote at the hospital, nursing home or similar facility if they apply to be included in the special voters’ list which is prepared and maintained by registration authorities (city and county councils) as part of the register of electors.
In the case of a first application, and whenever required by the registration authorities in the case of a subsequent application, it must be accompanied by a certificate from a registered medical practitioner (such as a GP).
If you wish to register as a special voter, you should do so by completing form SV1, which is available on www.checktheregister.ie or from your local authority. Please see local authority contact list.
Your completed form can be returned to your local authority at any time, but in order to be eligible for a special vote in Irish elections, your form must be received by your local authority before the deadline which will be announced in advance of an election.
How do I cast my vote if I am registered as a Special Voter?
At an election or referendum, you will be notified of the day and approximate time (am/pm) when a special Presiding Officer will call at the hospital, nursing home, mental health facility or similar institution.
The special Presiding Officer will carry evidence of identity and an appointment warrant which they will present to you for inspection on arrival. The special Presiding Officer will be accompanied by a Garda whose role is to guard the ballot papers (in the same way as in a polling station) and to act as an independent witness to ensure that the voting procedure is carried out properly.
Only the Presiding Officer and the Garda may be present when the vote is cast. The Presiding Officer will give you a declaration of identity which they will witness.
You will then mark the ballot paper in secret, place it in the special envelope provided, close the envelope and give it to the Presiding Officer.
If assistance in voting is required, it will be provided by the special Presiding Officer in the same way as at a polling station.
In the exceptional event that the hospital, nursing home, mental health facility or similar institution of the special voter is not accessible to the special Presiding Officer, the Returning Officer can apply special voting procedures such as issuing a postal vote to the special voters affected.
How can I contact my local authority?
How can I remove a family member from the Register of Electors?
In order to remove a family member from the register of electors you must complete a TPC1 Third Party Request to amend the register Form and post it to your local authority.
Use this form if you have reasonable grounds to believe that an entry on the register about another person is inaccurate (including, for example the death of a family member).
Your completed form can be returned to your local authority at any time.
A list of postal addresses of all local authorities can be found here: https://www.checktheregister.ie/en-IE/contact
I cannot register online. Who can I contact next?
In orIf you are unable to register online, you may do so by contacting your relevant local authority.
Please see the list of contact details and postal addresses for all local authorities.
A list of postal addresses of all local authorities can be found here: https://www.checktheregister.ie/en-IE/contact
5. Election Literature Queries
My polling information card has not arrived. Can I still vote?
If you have not received your polling information card do not worry. You do not need your polling information card in order to vote. Bring a valid form of ID with you to your assigned polling station and if you are on the register you will be able to vote.
Your polling information card is prepared and issued by each relevant local authority. Work on the issuing of the polling information cards begins as soon as possible after the Polling Day Order is made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Deliveries via An Post are made in batches on a staggered basis until 3 days before polling day.
If you would like to check the location of your polling station you can do so by visiting www.checktheregister.ie or www.voter.ie (Dublin only). These sites will give you the location of your polling station on polling day and its opening and closing times.
If you are unable to find your updated details via the sites above, you can contact your local authority who will be a position to assist you.
Please see the list of contact details and postal addresses for all local authorities.
What are the rules for election posters? When can they be removed?
An Coimisiún Toghcháin does not have regulatory powers in relation to posters or printed election materials. The responsibility for this lies with Franchise Unit in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
However, there are rules governing election posters and leaflets during an election campaign.
For example:
– Election posters may only be erected after polling day has been fixed by ministerial order, and for a maximum of 30 days before polling day;
– Posters must be removed within 7 days after polling day;
– Posters must include the name and address of the printer;
– Election posters may not be displayed within 50 metres of a polling station;
– Posters can only be hung on poles with the permission of the pole owner;
– Posters should not cause any disruption to road users;
– Leaflets cannot be left under windscreen wipers.
Local authorities have powers to remove posters when it is in the public interest to do so.
The relevant legislation is The Litter Pollution Act 1997 as amended by the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2009.
View the contact details for all local authorities.
I have received a leaflet from a candidate. Is this allowed? How did they get my information?
Under Section 57 of the Electoral Act 1992, each candidate in a Dáil election is entitled to send, free of charge for postage, one postal communication to each person on the Register of Electors for the constituency they are running in. These leaflets are known as Litir um Thoghcháin. Under the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act, 2011, An Post is designated as the postal provider for Litir um Thoghcháin.
Postage is provided free of charge but candidates have to pay for the design and printing.
Your local authority will provide An Post with a copy of the up-to-date electoral register. An Post arranges the register to remove your first name and surname leaving just your address. This postal data is then supplied by An Post to selected printers who print and address the Litir um Thoghcháin on behalf of political parties and independent candidates.
Read more information regarding An Post’s role in printing and sending Litir um Thoghcháin.
Each candidate is entitled by law to send these leaflets.
6. Polling/Count Centre Queries
Where do I vote?
Your designated polling station will be on your Polling Information Card. Your Polling Information Card should be sent to you in the post before polling day. It will be sent to the address that you have registered on the Register of Electors.
If you do not receive a polling card, you can check your designated polling station at www.checktheregister.ie or by checking the relevant Returning Officer website for your constituency. You can only vote in your designated polling station.
How are polling stations selected?
The selection of polling stations is carried out by the local Returning Officers. If you have any questions regarding your polling station, you can contact your local authority who will be a position to assist you.
Read more information about postal voting on our accessible voting page.
Who will be present at my polling station?
Persons permitted to be present in a polling station on polling day include:
– the Local Returning Officer, their representatives or messengers sent by or on their behalf;
– the Presiding Officer and Poll Clerk;
– the Supervisory Presiding Officer (if one is appointed);
– any member of the Dáil for the constituency and any member of the Seanad;
– any personation agent appointed for your station,
electors attending to vote;
– a person acting as “companion” to an elector with a physical disability, visual impairment or literacy difficulty;
– Gardaí on duty;
– any person authorised by the Local Returning Officer to be present at your polling station.
Can I apply to work at a polling station or count centre?
Employment of staff for electoral events, is the responsibility of the independent Returning Officer for each constituency. Returning Officers are responsible for the running of Dáil, European Parliament and Presidential elections in a constituency. They are also responsible for the running of referendums.
The Returning Officers are the county registrar or, in Dublin and Cork, the city or county sheriff. You can contact the Returning Officer in your nearest constituency for information about how you can apply to work at the upcoming elections.
View the full list of Returning officers and their contact information.
My polling centre is not accessible. Who can I contact?
You can only vote at your assigned polling station. Polling stations are selected by the local Returning Officer and assigned based on your details on the Register of Electors. Under certain circumstances you may be able to request a change of polling station.
If you are a wheelchair user and/or have difficulties accessing your designated polling station, you can apply in writing to the Returning Officer of your constituency to vote at an alternative polling station. These applications must be received at least a week in advance of polling day.
If possible, you should suggest another polling station that is both accessible and convenient for you. If you are not familiar with other polling stations in your area, the Returning Officer will pick an alternative station for you. If you provide an explanation of why your current station is inaccessible to you it will help the Returning Officer to pick an alternative.
The Returning Officer will send you written authorisation to vote at another polling station. You should present this authorisation (along with the usual evidence of identity) when you go to vote. Once you have been assigned another polling station, you cannot vote at your local station.
View the full list of Returning officers and their contact information.
I would like to attend a count centre. Who do I contact to get access?
Access to count centres is managed by the Returning Officer for each constituency. If you would like to attend a count centre, please contact your relevant Returning Officer who will be in a position to assist you.
View the full list of Returning officers and their contact information.
Why are pencils available at polling stations?
Pencils are available at all polling stations but you can bring your own pen or pencil if you wish.
Pencils are provided at all polling stations as:
– they last longer and do not dry out between electoral events;
– pencil lead cannot smudge onto other ballot papers;
– pencil lead will not smudge/leak if the ballot paper gets wet;
– if ink from a pen smudges or leaks onto another ballot paper this may cause that paper to be invalid.
Using pencils for voting is an international standard and not just used in Ireland. The UK, Australia, Canada and many other countries all use pencils to vote. However, you may bring and use your own pen.