An Easy-to-Read Guide to Voting
This is a guide to voting in Ireland and highlights the rights of voters, including those with disabilities.
What is an Election?
Elections let citizens choose representatives for various governmental roles. Voting is a right, and not voting means losing a say in critical areas like healthcare and education.
Who Can I Vote For?
Councillors: Local representatives. A local councillor in Ireland is an elected representative who serves on a local authority, such as a city or county council. They represent the community, address local concerns, and participate in policy-making for local services and infrastructure.
TDs (Teachta Dála): National representatives in Dáil Éireann. They represent their constituency at the national level, participate in law-making, debate policies, and scrutinise the government’s work. TDs propose and vote on legislation, address national issues, and assist constituents with various problems, acting as a crucial link between the public and the government.
MEPs (Members of the European Parliament): Represent Ireland in the EU. They participate in forming EU legislation, debate policies, and vote on matters affecting all member states. Irish MEPs also address issues specific to Ireland within the broader EU context, ensuring that Irish interests are considered in European decisions.
President: The head of state. They represent Ireland at home and abroad, uphold the Constitution, sign bills into law, and have the authority to refer bills to the Supreme Court for constitutionality. The President also performs various official duties and participates in state functions.
How to Register and Vote
Register at www.checktheregister.ie using your Eircode and PPS number. Voting typically happens at local polling stations with a ballot paper. Options are available for postal and special voting if you can’t vote in person.
