The Proposal
Voters can vote to have Article 40.3.3 (the Eighth Amendment) erased from the constitution.
The Irish Constitution currently states;
"The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right."
to be replaced with;
"Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancy".
Who can vote?
Irish citizens, aged 18 and over, ordinarily resident in the State, who are included on the electoral register are entitled to vote at referendums.
You can check the register here.
I didn't receive a polling card but I know I am registered to vote, can I still vote?
Yes, you can still vote You should double check that you are on the register but you do not need a polling card to cast your vote.
Bring ID
You should bring a valid form of identification with you to the polling station. Accepted forms of id include driving license, passport, public services card, a student identity card which contains a photograph, an employee identity card which contains a photograph. A longer list of accepted identification documents is available here.
The Rules At The Polling Stations
-To ensure that all voters can vote freely, no campaigning is allowed in, or near, polling stations.
-You should respect this and not engage in any activity that could be understood as campaigning.
-Remove any stickers, badges or clothes that contain campaign messages as a mark of respect to other voters.
-We have a secret ballot in Ireland. Your vote is private. You should not take photos or record yourself inside the polling station. You might be compromising the secrecy of your vote or the vote of another voter.
No Polling station boomerangs!
-You should not write any messages or draw any images on your ballot. Again this is because of the requirement for a secret ballot, anything you add to the ballot might identify your vote and your vote may be deemed invalid.
How to vote
You will be asked to vote Yes or No to the Thirty-Sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill.
The Referendum Commission states that the proposed change to the Constitution concerns the regulation of termination of pregnancy.
- The design of the ballot paper is set out in law and it will include the title of the bill proposing to amend the Constitution. You will be asked if you approve of the proposal to amend the Constitution.
- If you agree with the proposal, you should mark a clear X in the Yes box.
- If you disagree with the proposal, you should mark a clear X in the No box.
- When you have marked your ballot paper, you should fold it in two and place it in the ballot box.
