Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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 people in 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.
What are the rules in relation to postering?
There are rules governing posters, leaflets, and other forms of advertising, during an election campaign. Local authorities have powers to remove posters where it is in the public interest to do so.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin does not have responsibility for electoral policy or legislation in relation to the bye-laws or other rules governing posters being erected or when they must be removed. This policy and legislative responsibility rests primarily with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The legislation governing placement of posters at election time is The Litter Pollution Act 1997 as amended by the Electoral (Amendment)(No.2) Act 2009. The legislation provides that erection of posters is only permitted from the date the order is made by the Minister appointing the polling day or 30 days prior to the date of the poll, whichever is the shorter period. Posters must be removed within 7 days of the polling day.
Therefore, for the 2024 local, European and Limerick mayoral elections the date that posters can be erected is Wednesday 8 May 2024 and they must be removed by midnight on Friday 14 June 2024.
How can I work at a polling station on polling day?
Employment of staff for electoral events is the responsibility of the Returning Officer for each constituency.
If you are interested in working at a polling station you can contact the Local Returning Officer in your constituency for more information.
View the list of Returning Officers is available online here.
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.
Why are pencils available in 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.
Who can be present in a 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 station.
How many political parties are registered to run candidates in the European, local and Limerick mayoral elections?
Details of the political parties that can nominate candidates to run in the European, local and Limerick mayoral elections are available on the Register of Political Parties.
Under Section 51(5) of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, the Register of Political Parties which has effect for the 7 June elections, is the version of the Register as of the date that the Polling Day Orders for the elections were made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (5 April, 2024).
There are currently 29 political parties on the Register of Political Parties.
If the candidate has no affiliation with a particular political party, they may describe themselves as “Non-Party” on their nomination form, or leave the space blank.
In the case of nominations for Members of the European Parliament (MEP), a non-party candidate who is a member of a political group in the European Parliament may have the name of that group included on all ballot papers and notices.
How do I become a candidate to run in the European, local or Limerick mayoral elections?
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.
Information about the local elections
What are the 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.
Voting for Councillors throughout Ireland will take place on Friday 7 June, between 7.00am and 10.00pm.
How many local councillors will be elected in local elections taking place on 7 June?
There are currently 949 Local Councillors across the 31 Local Authorities in Ireland.
Voting for Local Councillors for each of the Local Authorities will take place on Friday, 7 June, between 7.00am and 10.00pm.
Who can vote in the Local Elections taking place on 7 June?
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.
The deadline for registering to vote is 20 May. The deadline to register for a postal or special vote is 11 May.
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.
Information about the European elections
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).
On Friday 7 June, Ireland will elect 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
Are European Parliament elections taking place in other EU countries?
Elections for the European Parliament will take place across all EU countries between 6 and 9 June. Polling day in Ireland is on Friday 7 June. Polls will be open from 7.00am – 10.00pm.
The deadline for registering to vote is 20 May. The deadline to register for a postal or special vote is 11 May.
Information about the Limerick mayoral elections
Why is there an election for Mayor of Limerick?
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
You can check that you are registered or register to vote by visiting www.checktheregister.ie or by contacting Limerick City or County Council.
The deadline for registering to vote is 20 May. The deadline to register for a postal or special vote is 11 May.
How do I become a candidate to run in the Limerick mayoral elections?
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.
Preparing to vote in the upcoming elections
Am I registered to vote?
You must be on the Register of Electors to cast your vote on polling day.
You can check whether you are on the Register of Electors at checktheregister.ie or by contacting your local authority. Please see Local Authority contact list.
Even if you think that you are registered to vote, you should look on Checktheregister.ie to make sure that your details, including your address, are correct and up to date. Your polling information card will be sent to the address that you have recorded on the Register of Electors so you should check if you have changed address recently.
The deadline for online registration to vote in 7 June elections is: 20 May 2024.
The deadline for receipt of applications for a postal vote for the elections on 7 June is: 11 May 2024
If your application to register is received after these dates it will be processed by your local authority after the holding the elections You will not be eligible to vote in the elections if your application is late.
Are my details up to date on the electoral register?
You can check if your details (e.g. address, Eircode, PPSN, date of birth) are correct on the electoral register at Check the Register or by contacting your local authority. Please see Local Authority contact list.
Where can 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 county. You can only vote in your designated polling station.
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 the elections taking place on 7 June, your form must be received by your Local Authority no later than 11 May 2024. If your form is received by your Local Authority after this date, you will not receive a postal vote at the forthcoming elections.
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 the elections taking place on 7 June, your form must be received by your Local Authority no later than 11 May 2024. If your form is received by your Local Authority after this date, you will not receive a special vote.
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?
I didn’t receive my polling information card. Can I still vote?
The issuing of polling information cards for the 7 June elections is carried out by local authorities. 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 will be made in batches on a staggered basis.
You do not need to bring your polling information card with you in order to vote.
If you would like check the location of your polling station you can do so on www.checktheregister.ie or www.voter.ie (Dublin only).
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 – Friday 7 June 2024, unless you have applied for a postal vote or a special vote.
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