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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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SAMPLE BALLOT PAPERS - NOT REAL | Courtesy of www.electoralcommission.ie
On Friday, June 7, hundreds of thousands of Irish people are expected to cast their votes on who they think should be elected to both their local county council and the European Parliament - and additionally in Limerick, who should be mayor.
The last time Irish people took to the polls and voted in local and European elections in June 2019, 108,488 votes were spoilt and those people lost out on having their vote considered.
So how can one vote properly and avoid spoiling their vote?
While weighing in on who you think fits the role as a good public and European representative, there are considerations you must think about before marking your ballot paper.
Once arriving at your local polling station, which will be open from 7am to 10pm, you will have to give your name and address and will be asked to present valid ID such as a driving licence. See the full list of valid ID options here.
You will be handed two ballot papers, three if you are in Limerick, which you must start each ballot paper with ‘1' then '2’, and so on.
You vote for your favourite candidates in terms of preference, 1 being your favourite, 2 being your second choice, and so on.
Do not tick or mark any box with an ‘x’ – this will spoil your vote and your vote won't count.
If you make a mistake on your ballot paper, the returning officer may give you another ballot paper. This is at the discretion of the returning officer - they do not have to do this.
If you have already posted your vote in the ballot box, the returning officer cannot give you another ballot paper.
The names of the candidates in the election are on the ballot paper.
You will also see a photo of the candidate.
If a candidate is a member of a political party, you will see the party emblem
Common mistakes people make which makes their vote invalid:
Remember to start each ballot paper with '1', etc - do not start the first ballot paper with '1', '2', '3' and continue onto the next ballot paper by writing '4', '5', '6'. This will spoil your vote!
Start each ballot paper with the number '1' next to your preferred candidate. Do not write anything else.
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