How Does Ireland’s Voting System Work? Breaking Down the Count and Casting Your Vote Correctly
The General Election is coming up on 29th November. But just how are votes counted, and how can you make sure your vote is valid and contributes to the result? Here’s a simple breakdown of Ireland’s unique voting system and what you need to know to vote correctly.
Ireland’s Proportional Representation System (PR-STV)
Ireland uses a Proportional Representation with Single Transferable Vote (PR-STV) system. Sounds complicated? Don’t worry—here’s what it means in simple terms:
- Proportional Representation ensures that seats in the Dáil reflect the number of votes each party or candidate receives as closely as possible.
- Single Transferable Vote lets voters rank candidates in order of preference. This means if your top choice doesn’t have enough support or has more than they need, your vote can transfer to your next preference.
How the Vote Count Works
Once the polls close, here’s how your vote goes through the counting process:
- Sorting Votes
Ballot papers are first sorted by the first preference votes (the ‘1s’ on the ballot). - Quotas
Each constituency has a certain number of seats to fill, and a quota is calculated. This is the minimum number of votes a candidate needs to win a seat. The quota is determined by the total number of valid votes divided by one more than the number of seats available, plus one.Example:- 100,000 valid votes cast.
- 5 seats available.
- Quota = (100,000 ÷ (5 + 1)) + 1 = 16,667 votes.
- First Preferences
Candidates with enough first preference votes to meet the quota are elected immediately. - Redistribution of Surplus Votes
If a candidate has more votes than the quota, their surplus votes (the extra votes over the quota) are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on the voters’ second preferences. - Eliminations and Transfers
If no one meets the quota after redistributing surpluses, the candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the next preferences.This process repeats until all seats in the constituency are filled.
Have you ever been bamboozled by Ireland’s electoral system, or how election counts work under the PR-STV system?
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) June 7, 2024
Fear not: I can explain… using a well-known chocolate sweet snack.
(Other tasty confections are available. #notspon.) pic.twitter.com/kMHooliKRK
Tips for Voting Correctly
- Rank Candidates by Preference
Start with 1 for your favourite candidate, then 2, 3, and so on. You can rank as many or as few candidates as you like. - Only Use Numbers
Avoid ticks, crosses, or other symbols—they can spoil your vote. - Don’t Skip Numbers
If you want to rank more than one candidate, keep the numbers in order (e.g., 1, 2, 3…). Skipping numbers can invalidate your vote beyond the skipped point. - Check for the Stamp
Before putting your ballot in the box, ensure it has been stamped by polling station staff. Ballots without a stamp are disqualified during the count.
Why This System Matters
Ireland’s PR-STV system ensures that as many votes as possible contribute to the final result. Even if your first choice isn’t elected, your vote can still make an impact through your other preferences.
This system gives smaller parties and independent candidates a chance while reflecting the diverse views of voters.
Be Part of the Process!
Understanding how your vote works makes the experience even more meaningful. Your ballot isn’t just a piece of paper—it’s a powerful tool for shaping Ireland’s future.
Still have questions? Message Team Missy on Instagram, and we’ll help you figure it out. Your vote matters—make it count!
Read More: Election 2024: What Are The Major Parties’ Stance On Issues That Affect Young People?
Read More: Why Should I Vote? The Upcoming General Election and Why Your Voice Matters