EXPLAINER: Your essential guide to voting in the 2024 General Election

While General Election candidates across the country are out canvassing to grab your last minute vote, here's everything you need to know before casting your crucial vote on Friday. 

The last General Election in 2020 had a historical low turnout. In a post pandemic Ireland, there are major key issues driving people's frustration with the outgoing coalition government such as housing, the cost of living, migration and health. Will these significant concerns result in a greater voter turnout? 

Although many of us may have election fatigue at this point in the campaign, it is nonetheless important that you have your say on Friday. With recent polls indicating a tight race, your vote will be critical in deciding who will lead the next government. 

So how do you go about making your voice heard?

What you need before voting

Polling stations will open on Friday, 29 November at 7am and close at 10pm.

Where you need to go to cast your vote will be on your polling card which you should have received by post - if you are registered to vote.

If you didn't receive your polling card you needn't worry as you can find your polling station on your local authority's website.

READ NEXT: Met Éireann issues General Election weather update after latest warning

You don't need to bring your polling card with you to the polling station, however you will need to bring identification - even if you have your polling card.

For identification, you can use your passport, driving license, Public Services Card or even a bank or credit union account book, as long as it has your name and address.

You could also bring a workplace identity card, student identity card or travel document but only if they include a photograph.

If you don't have any of these items you can bring your credit card, cheque book, or a birth or marriage certificate. 

What to do at the polling station

When you arrive at your polling station, the presiding officer will ask you to state your name and address and show your identification. Then they will stamp a ballot paper which you will use to vote. 

On the ballot paper the election candidates in your constituency will be listed in alphabetical order alongside their political party, if any.

You will go to a voting compartment to cast your vote, but it is important to note that it is a secret ballot. This means if you take selfies or post pictures online that show yourself or someone else, or who you or they voted for, you could be prosecuted. 

What you may not know is each candidate in the General Election may be represented at polling stations by 'personation agents.' This person is there to help prevent electoral offences by supervising the voting. 

Another interesting point is that on polling day you cannot display posters or a campaign for any candidate within 50 metres of a polling station.

Casting your vote

When you're ready to cast your vote in the voting compartment, you then indicate the order of your choice of candidates by writing '1' or 'one' inside the box beside the candidate of your first choice. If you wish to do so, you then place '2' or 'two' beside your second choice of candidate, and so on. 

You can stop after selecting your first choice but you can also continue to indicate your preferences for as many candidates on the ballot paper as you want. If you do list your preferences beyond your first, this then allows your vote to be transferred from your first choice to your second choice if your number one candidate has been eliminated or already elected. 

This way of voting is due to Ireland's system of proportional representation.

Once you're happy with your choices you then simply fold the paper and pop it into the ballot box.

If you make a mistake on your paper, the returning officer may give you another. However, if you have already posted it in the ballot box you cannot be given another.

What qualifies as a spoiled vote?

A spoiled vote is when a ballot paper cannot be counted. There are a few ways a ballot paper can be spoiled such as obviously leaving the paper blank, if the writing on it cannot be understood, or if a voter has deliberately spoiled it in protest.

One of the more common mistakes would be if a voter only picked one candidate and ticked the chosen candidate's box rather than writing '1' or 'one.' If a voter has marked any of their preferred candidates without numbering them then they will be spoiled.

If the order of preference is not clear then that too will count as spoiled. If you write your name or identify yourself in any way then it will also not be counted.

Your vote is precious, so make sure you follow the instructions carefully to make your voice heard.