ieExplains: What to expect on voting day and what to bring with you
Public Vote Asked Constitution Two Next Week, Will The Referenda Be In Our To To Amend
Next week, the public will be asked to vote in two referenda to amend our Constitution.
The first referendum concerns the concept of family in the Constitution.
The second referendum proposes to delete an existing part of the Constitution and insert new text providing recognition for care provided by family members to each other.
Before you head to the polls, here is everything you need to know about voting on March 8.
You can check whether you are registered to vote at checktheregister.ie.
If you find you are not registered or that your details are incorrect, the deadline to apply for the March 8 votes has now passed.
With several elections set to be held this year, now is a good time to apply to make sure you are registered and all your information is correct in time for these votes. Find more information on who is eligible to vote here.
Those who are on the register of electors will have a polling card sent to their registered address before polling day.
The card includes your elector number, the name of your polling station, and a formal statement explaining what the referenda are about.
If you are on the register and your polling card has not arrived by March 8, you can still vote.
Go to your polling station and bring photo ID with you. If the presiding officer is satisfied with your ID, they will provide you with a stamped ballot paper. Valid forms of ID include a passport, driver's licence or public services card.
You must go to the polling station listed on your polling card. They will be open between 7am and 10pm.
You must bring your polling card and a valid form of personal identification with you when you vote.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
- A passport
- A driving licence
- A workplace ID with a photo
- A student ID with a photo
- A travel document with a photo
- A public services card
- A bank or credit union account book containing your name and address within the constituency
Also accepted along with proof of address are:
- A cheque book or card
- A credit card
- A birth or marriage certificate
When you arrive at the polling station, you will be asked to say your name and address and should have your ID ready for inspection.
Once your ID and eligibility to vote have been verified, the presiding officer will stamp a ballot paper and give it to you.
Take your ballot to one of the private voting compartments and read the instructions on the ballot paper. Pencils will be provided, but you can bring your own pen or pencil if you wish to do so.
You will be asked if you approve the proposal and you will mark an X in either the 'yes' or 'no' box, whichever way you choose to vote.
Fold the paper and place it in a sealed ballot box.
The first question deals with Article 41.1.1 and Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution, both of which relate to the family. To differentiate between both referenda, people will cast a vote on this on white-coloured ballot paper.
Article 41.1.1 currently states: “The State recognises the Family as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law.”
It has been proposed that this line be changed to recognise family "whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships".
The second part of this question relates to Article 41.3.1, which currently states: “The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it against attack.”
It is proposed this line would be simply changed to state: “The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, and to protect it against attack.”
Voters will receive a second green coloured ballot paper which deals with the second issue of care. This referendum proposes deleting the current Articles 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 and inserting a new Article 42B.
Currently, these sections recognise that "by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved”.
This part of the Constitution goes on to say that "the State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home”.
If a yes vote is carried, this reference to a mother's "duties in the home" will be removed and instead a new line will be introduced:
“The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support such provision.”
While at polling stations, you may not display or distribute any materials relating to the vote.
No photos or selfies are permitted to be taken in the polling station as it may compromise the secrecy of the ballot.