Referendum Results
Announcement by the Referendum Returning Officer
Referendums in Ireland
Any amendment to the Constitution of Ireland must first progress as a Bill (that is, a piece of legislation) through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
It is the duty of the Referendum Returning Officer to conduct referendums, and determine and declare the result of referendums. This is in accordance with the Referendum Act 1994.
Further information on referendums in Ireland is available from the website of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s newly established, independent electoral commission. Information on previous referendums is also available on its website.
This website provides official information about the holding of a referendum.
This information includes, but is not limited to:
- A Statement for the Information of Voters (a formal statement, prescribed by the Oireachtas, on the referendum’s subject matter)
- Sample ballot papers
- Voting arrangements and what you need to bring to the polling station
- Legislation on the running of referendums in Ireland
- A list of Local Returning Officers
Who can vote at a referendum in Ireland?
Every citizen of Ireland ordinarily resident in the State, aged 18 years or over on polling day, and whose name is entered on the register of electors, is eligible to vote.