Record Low Voter Turnout Expected in Presidential Election as Many Polling Stations Fall Below 40 Percent

Basio badr

ago 11 hours

Record Low Voter Turnout Expected in Presidential Election as Many Polling Stations Fall Below 40 Percent

Voter turnout in the recent presidential election is expected to reach a historic low. Preliminary reports indicate that many polling stations recorded participation rates below 40 percent. The final statistics will be available by Saturday, but initial trends suggest a decline compared to the 43.9 percent turnout in the 2018 election.

Low Voter Turnout Across the Nation

As polling concluded at 10 PM, reports from various areas highlighted reduced participation. For instance, Dublin City saw a turnout of just 38.12 percent, while rural regions like Birr in Offaly experienced significantly lower numbers, with only 26 percent of the electorate voting. In Co Mayo, the situation was even more dire, with some locations like Drumgallagh National School reporting a mere 16 percent turnout.

Constituency Breakdown

Roscommon-Galway: Turnout ranged from 30.8 percent in Ballaghaderreen to 55.36 percent in South Roscommon.
Kerry: Voter turnout varied from 33 percent in Listowel to 48 percent in Killarney.
Kildare North: Reported one of the few higher turnouts, approaching 30 percent.
Darver, Co Louth: Achieved one of the highest rates at 73 percent.

The overall trend across many counties showed turnout numbers hovering in the low to mid-20s. Areas in Mayo and Donegal struggled to exceed 20 percent participation.

Candidate Participation

Both candidates actively encouraged voter engagement. Catherine Connolly voted in Galway City, emphasizing the importance of each vote on social media. Heather Humphreys also voted in Co Monaghan with her granddaughter, acknowledging the hard work of polling station staff.

Concerns About Election Conduct

In addition to low turnout, the campaign faced troubling incidents. Gardaí were called after an altercation involving Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who faced harassment while canvassing in Dublin. The incident involved verbal threats directed at her and her team.

The chief executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Art O’Leary, expressed hopes that voter turnout would reach at least the levels seen in previous elections. As voters were encouraged to participate, the final results from this historic election will provide further insights into voter engagement across the nation in 2023.