In various regions of the nation, the referendums on family and care have witnessed disappointing participation, with voting stations shutting at 10pm. Approximately 86,000 individuals have registered since the year commenced, resulting in roughly 3.5 million individuals being eligible to vote today.
While Dublin city saw a turnout of about 25% of voters, other places in the capital experienced a low turnout of 16% by Friday afternoon. Likewise, only 20% of voters had shown up in Galway by 4pm, while in rural areas of Cork, the average turnout was slightly above 22%.
President Higgins voted in the family and care referendums, but the number of voters was not encouraging at polling stations in the morning. The government and most Opposition parties are concerned about this low turnout as they support a ‘Yes-Yes’ outcome in the referendums.
The family amendment to section 41.1 of the Constitution seeks to extend state recognition of the family, taking into account not just marriages but also ‘other enduring relationships’. The care proposal aims to abolish section 41.2, which acknowledges the critical role women play at home for the overall well-being of society and asserts that the state should not economically force mothers to work outside their home.
The participation of voters across different Dublin city constituencies was slightly below 25% by 4:45 pm. This varied from 20.7% in Dublin Bay South to 28.6% in Dublin South Central. The turnout fluctuated elsewhere in Dublin, ranging from 16% to 22% in Blanchardstown and 28% in Castleknock. In Clondalkin and Tallaght, the turnout percentages were respectively around 22% and 19%.
Remarkably, in parts of Dun Laoghaire and Portmarnock, the participation was as high as 34% and 30% respectively. Additionally, in the north, a 27% turnout was recorded in Rush whereas Skerries observed 29%. In Wicklow, 31% of the overall voters had cast their vote in Bray and Greystones, while Arklow reached a turnout of 26%.
As of half four in the afternoon, voting percentages stood at 22% in both the Athlone and Mullingar rural districts, though in the towns themselves, 19% and 17% voter turnout was reported respectively. Around the same time, an 18% turnout was reported in Granard, situated in County Longford.
By five in the evening, the average polling percentage across Cork county’s three constituencies was 22.3%. To compare, during the last general election, the turnout at the same time was 43.5%; it was 27.2% in the 2019 European Elections and 34% for the 2018 referendum aiming to repeal the 8th amendment.
In Kerry, the late Friday afternoon turnout in Killarney was reported at 28.4%, with both Tralee and Kilgarvan at 28% and in Listowel, it was 20%. By 4pm, in Galway, the turnout was 20% with it ranging from 14% in Castlegar to 22% in Kinvara.
In Mayo, 17.6% of the voters had cast their vote in the Ballina/Foxford rural region as opposed to 25.5% in Westport. The turnout in Wexford varied from 19.4% in New Ross to 22.4% in Gorey and 23.2% in Ballyfad. Across Tipperary, the turnout exceeded 20%, with Clonmel yielding a turnout of 22%.
The “family” referendum seeks to broaden State recognition of the family beyond marital relationships and to include “other durable relationships” by amending article 41.1 in our Constitution. Simultaneously, the “care” referendum proposes to remove article 41.2, which extols the benefits of women’s role within the homes and obliges the State to ensure mothers are not forced to work beyond their homes due to financial reasons. To replace this, a novel article 42B is suggested, requesting the State to endorse the provision of care within families due to their shared bonds.
In the middle of the morning, President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins arrived at St Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park, to place their votes. It was a significant public appearance for the President, given it was his first since getting discharged from the hospital on the previous Thursday.
President Higgins was a patient at St James’s Hospital for a week, having been admitted on February 29th when he felt ill. With the intention of being cautious, the President was advised to go to the hospital, where he stayed for a few more days for tests and to keep an eye on his blood pressure. The President was given support as he walked into the polling station and he also made time to pose for photos post-voting.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar voted at Scoil Treasa Naofa on Donore Avenue in Dublin, whereas Tánaiste Micheál Martin cast his vote at St Anthony’s Boys National School located in Co Cork.
Prospective voters are advised to have at hand their polling card and also a form of identification when they go to the polling station. If a voter is registered and their polling card has not arrived, they are still eligible to vote, provided they have a valid ID. Acceptable forms of identification include passports, driving licences, student cards or public services cards.
After arriving at the voting station, voters are expected to provide their name and address, and are then given a stamped ballot paper to take into the voting booth. The ballot paper contains brief instructions on the voting process and specifics about the referendum. It explores whether voters approve or disapprove the referendum proposal. To cast their vote, voters need to mark an “X” in either the yes or no box on the paper, and then fold it and put it in a sealed ballot box.
The first question attempted to deal with Article 41.1.1 and Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution, which are the family proposals and are on a white piece of paper. The second ballot paper – the 40th amendment, regards the care referendum and is on a green piece of paper.
Voters should know they are not allowed to take photos or selfies within the polling station as it might disrupt the confidential nature of the casting of votes. Furthermore, extra writing on the ballot paper can result in the vote being deemed spoiled. Canvassing within a 50m radius of the polling station is also not allowed.
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