FAQS: FIRST TIME VOTING

Information on Voting

I did not receive a polling card; can I vote on February 8^th?

Yes. The polling card simply tells you when and where to vote. You do not require it to vote and therefore it is not a requirement to present a polling card on February 8^th. You are required to have proof of I.D. regardless of whether you have a polling card or not.

I have not voted before or have not voted in this area before; how do I find out where to cast my vote?

If you are not sure about where your polling station is, it is best to contact the relevant city/county council and ask for the location/address of your polling station. Full list of city/county councils are here https://www.housing.gov.ie/local-government/administration/local-authorities/local-authorities

What times are the polling stations open at on February 8^th?

The polling stations are open between 7am to 10pm on Saturday, February 8^th.

What forms of I.D. is acceptable to bring to the polling station?

The following documents are acceptable for identification purposes: a passport (either Passport Book or Passport Card); a driving licence; an employee identity card containing a photograph; a student identity card issued by an educational institution and containing a photograph; a travel document containing name and photograph; a Bank or Savings or Credit Union book containing your address in the constituency and/or a Public Services Card.

What is the process when I arrive at the polling station?

Some polling stations, usually in urban areas may have a large number of polling booths; information is usually provided at the polling station entrance to indicate which polling booth you should go to. In some polling stations, there may only be one polling booth.

What is the process when I reach the correct polling booth?

When you have located the correct polling booth, give the polling staff your name and address along with a polling card (if you received one) or I.D. if requested. The staff will check your details and if you are on the register (including the supplementary register) and entitled to vote in a General Election you can vote on February 8^th and will be given a ballot paper. Take the ballot paper to the area provided for voting and cast your vote using the pen or pencil provided. Do not write anything on the ballot paper except as per the instructions on it, if you do your vote may be deemed spoiled and will not be counted. When finished fold your ballot paper and put it in the ballot box.

Who can vote in a General Election?

Only Irish citizens and British citizens residing in the State can vote in an Irish General Election. You must be ordinarily resident in the State on 1st September 2018, to be allowed register on the 2019/20 Register of Electors, which is the register being used in this General Election.

More information

Below is a short video by Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on voting.