Ireland Prepares for Presidential Election as Limerick and Nationwide Voters Head to the Polls
Citizens in Limerick and across Ireland are preparing to cast their ballots this Friday in the presidential election. Polling stations will be open from 7 am to 10 pm, allowing voters to make their choice for the next head of state. This election marks an important event as Ireland looks to select its 10th president.
Key Candidates in the Race
Three candidates are listed on the ballot:
- Catherine Connolly – Independent Galway TD
- Heather Humphreys – Former Fine Gael minister
- Jim Gavin – Ex-Dublin football manager representing Fianna Fail
Notably, Jim Gavin suspended his campaign and withdrew from the race on October 5, 2023. Despite his withdrawal, his name remains on the ballot paper due to the timing of his decision.
Voting and Eligibility
A total of 151,331 people are eligible to vote in Limerick, with 75,979 registered in the city and 73,352 in the county. Voting is exclusive to Irish citizens. This election utilizes proportional representation through a single transferable vote system, allowing voters to rank their preferences.
Vote Counting Process
Once the polls close, ballot boxes from Limerick will be moved to the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare for the counting process. This change in location marks a departure from previous elections held at Limerick Racecourse. The counting will commence at 9 am on Saturday.
Returning officers in Limerick will begin sorting through first preference votes, sending the results to Dublin Castle for verification. Barry Ryan, the Presidential returning officer, will oversee the process, calculate the election quota, and determine subsequent steps regarding candidate elimination and vote transfers.
Timeline for Results
The first round of results is expected to be announced shortly after the initial declaration at Dublin Castle. With only three candidates, a winner may be determined after the second count. If one candidate secures over 50% of the votes, a second count will be unnecessary. A final result is anticipated by Saturday evening.
