How to vote in elections, in Republic of Ireland

Voting is a right and a responsibility in a democracy.

It’s your chance to have a say in who represents you and makes decisions that affect your life.

In the Republic of Ireland, you can vote in elections for:

To vote in elections, you must be:

If you meet these criteria, you can register to vote online at www.checktheregister.ie.

You can also register in person at your local county council offices.

The deadline to register to vote is 12 days before the election.

On election day, you can vote at your local polling station.

You will need to bring your polling card and a form of identification, such as a passport, driving licence or Garda age card.

When you vote, you will be given a ballot paper.

You will need to mark your ballot paper with the number of the candidate or party you wish to vote for.

You can also vote for none of the candidates.

Once you have marked your ballot paper, you will need to fold it in half and place it in the ballot box.

Your vote is secret.

The votes are counted after the election has closed.

The candidate or party with the most votes wins.

Voting is a powerful way to make your voice heard.

It is important to make sure that you are registered to vote and that you vote in every election.

Your vote can make a difference.