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Voting Rights

Every resident aged 18 and upwards is eligible to be on the register. A person must be a resident at the address they wish to be registered. Your Citizenship determines the type of elections you may vote in.

If you are 16 or 17, you can pre-register at www.checktheregister.ie and you will be added to the register automatically when you turn 18. 

The Right to Vote is as follows:

  • Irish Citizens may vote at every Election/Referendum.
  • British Citizens may Vote at Dáil and Local Elections only.
  • Other EU Citizens may Vote at European and Local Elections only.
  • Non-EU Citizens may Vote at Local Elections only.

Register of Electors

The Register of Electors is now a regularly updating rolling register.  The Register is used at each election and referendum. In order to be able to vote at an Election or Referendum, a person’s name must be entered on the Register of Electors for the locality in which they ordinarily reside. 

You can apply to register or update your details at any time. However, where an election or referendum has been formally called, the latest date for receipt of applications by your local authority is 15 days before that electoral event. Sundays, public holidays and Good Friday are not counted as days for this purpose.
If your local authority does not get your form or online update on time it won't be considered for that election or referendum. Different deadlines apply if you wish to apply for a postal vote or to be added to the special voters list. 

Prospective and current electors can apply, update and view the Register of Electors at www.checktheregister.ie

Voter Application Forms and Information

Information on the Register of Electors in a range of different languages (multilingual)

Voting