Voter eligibility
To vote in any election and referendum, you must be entitled to vote. Your entitlement is based on your nationality, and there are rules about the nationalities that are allowed to vote in elections and referendums in Ireland.
You must also be:
- 18 years or over on the day of the vote
- Resident in Ireland
- Registered to vote
Even if you are eligible to vote because of your nationality, you cannot vote unless you are registered on the Register of Electors.
Who can vote in a referendum?
You can vote in a referendum if you are an Irish citizen who is on the Register of Electors, the Postal Voters List or the Special Voters List and if you are 18 years or over on the day of the vote.
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
Who can vote in a local election?
You do not have to be an Irish citizen to vote in a local election. However, you must be ordinarily resident in the State to register on the Register of Electors. You may not vote in both a county council and a city council election.
To vote in a local election, you must:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Live in the local electoral area
- Be listed on the Register of Electors
Who can vote in a European Parliament election?
Every Irish citizen aged 18 and over can vote in the European election. If you are an Irish citizen but you are living in another EU country you can vote in that country.
If you are from another EU Member State but are living in Ireland you can vote in the European election in Ireland. To do so your name has to be on the register of electors. 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.
You cannot vote in the European election in more than one constituency or country.
Who can vote in a Seanad election?
To vote in Seanad elections, you must be an Irish citizen who is any one of the following:
- A graduate of the National University of Ireland (or an NUI recognised college)
- A graduate of Trinity College
- A member of Dáil Eireann (a Teachta Dála, or TD)
- An outgoing member of the Seanad
- A member of a county or city council (a councillor)
If you are eligible, you can vote in the NUI and Trinity College constituencies, even if you are resident outside Ireland.
Who can vote in a Presidential election?
To vote in a presidential election, you must be:
- An Irish citizen
- Aged 18 or over
- Ordinarily resident in Ireland
- Registered to vote
