15th September is International Day of Democracy. A fundamental element of democracy is free and fair elections. A straightforward and effective way for you to participate in democracy today would be to ensure you are able to vote. Go to checktheregister.ie to see if you are already registered or to update your details, as well as to find other information about voting in Ireland.
Vote for the next President of Ireland!
The next presidential election will take place on Friday 24th October, 2025. To exercise your franchise in this election, you must be an Irish Citizen over the age of 18, ordinarily resident in Ireland, and you must be registered to vote. The deadline to register and update your details for in-person voting for the presidential election is Tuesday 7 October 2025. The deadline for postal and special voting arrangements for the presidential election is Monday 29 September 2025.
All Irish citizens over the age of 18 and ordinarily resident in Ireland may also vote in General, Local and EU elections. Those over 18 who have graduated from specific universities in Ireland may vote in Seanad Elections as part of the Higher Education constituency.
Non-Irish Citizens have specific voting rights
If you are not an Irish Citizen but are ordinarily resident in Ireland, it is still important to register to vote once you are 18 or older.
- British Citizens who live in Ireland can vote in General and Local elections.
- EU Citizens who live in Ireland can vote in European and Local elections.
- Non-EU Citizens, including asylum seekers, can vote in Local elections.
Why should I vote?
Historically, voting rights have been a central issue in the fight for civil rights and social justice. Many people have fought and sacrificed to secure the right to vote for all citizens, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Voting is a way to honour and preserve these hard-won rights and ensure that everyone's voice is heard in the democratic process.
In Ireland, we hear news from the USA and the UK as much as we do from the EU, and a common theme can be “there’s no point in voting, it doesn’t make a difference anyway”.
The USA operates a two-party system with the Republicans and Democrats dominating the political landscape, so that ‘third parties’ find it hard to get a look-in (some local and state elections excepted). If you’re unhappy with both the Republicans and the Democrats, this can leave you feeling you have no choice at all. In the UK, the system is First Past the Post, where you can select only one candidate (except in some NI and Scottish elections) – again, votes tend to go to the dominant parties and/or the already familiar politicians, so it can again feel like your vote doesn’t make a difference.
In Ireland, our electoral system is PR-STV (Proportional Representation - Single Transfer Vote), which means you get to decide who gets your first vote, your second, your third… right to the end of the ballot paper, if you wish, so that the distribution of elected representatives corresponds more closely with the proportion of total votes cast – that is, your vote is more likely to have an impact on who represents you. Proportional Representation also encourages political parties to cooperate and to build consensus, rather than creating the extreme divisiveness apparent in other countries.
Ireland is considered one of the most democratic countries in the world, and voting is one of the most straightforward ways of exercising your democratic franchise. Voting allows individuals to have a say in who represents them. Elected officials make decisions on behalf of their constituents on issues such as healthcare, education, taxation, and social services, and voting is the primary means through which citizens can choose representatives who reflect their values, priorities, and concerns. Voting allows people to reward politicians who have performed well and to express dissatisfaction with those who have not.
Presidential, General, European, Local…What does it matter?
Before you cast your vote, it is useful to know what is within the powers and responsibilities of the specific role you’re voting for. If a presidential candidate promises you “an Ireland that’s better for business” or “a Luas to the airport”, it might mean they do not understand the remit of the President of Ireland, who could not deliver on those promises, or they are depending on many of the electorate simply responding to popular slogans. Similarly, a local councillor, an MEP, a Senator (member of the Seanad) and a TD may all be able to wield influence on the issues that most affect you, but to understand if their promises can actually mean anything, it’s important to understand the different roles.
Don’t forget the basics of democracy