No. 2 votes fluid but Newtownforbes supports Monaghan

The boxes from the polling booths in Newtownforbes NS are probably unremarkable but perhaps they do reveal a snapshot of modern voting trends.

Civil war politics and even whole families voting along similar lines are a thing of the past.

The local councillor in Newtownforbes is Fianna Fail’s Martin Monaghan.

Elected for the first time in 2019, Monaghan is hoping to cross the electoral hurdle once more.

Watching the Newtown votes being sorted, Monaghan is getting strong support from his home patch. Nothing unusual there for local elections.

However, what’s interesting is where the No. 2’s are going from his first preferences.

There is certainly no discernible trend. This one to Niall Gannon, this one to Seamus Butler. Gerry Hagan is also picking up a number.

They are not going across party lines. This may reflect modern electoral trends and also may reflect the personal votes that many councillors rely on.

While some voters may baulk at giving their No.1 to someone, they may give a second preference without hesitation.

Party posters may urge voters to go 2,3,4 in order of their party candidates. Such disciplined voting in the past served Fianna Fail well.

However, today’s voter is more fluid. In any case, Monaghan was tallying 410 first preferences earlier and looks set to retain his seat.