Presidential Election Sees Record Surge in Spoiled Votes According to Early Counts
The ongoing presidential election has witnessed an unprecedented surge in spoiled votes, according to early count data. Reports indicate that approximately 30,000 ballots may have been invalidated, which could represent nearly 10% of the total ballots cast.
High Rate of Spoiled Votes
Analysis from the Catherine Connolly campaign highlights this significant trend. Spoiled votes are predominantly observed in working-class neighborhoods, although they are widespread across various counting locations.
Comparative Statistics from Past Elections
Historically, the 2018 presidential election recorded 18,438 spoiled votes, accounting for just 1.2% of the total votes. This current election’s figure marks a substantial increase.
| Election Year | Spoiled Votes | Percentage of Total Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 18,438 | 1.2% |
| 2023 (Early Count) | ~30,000 | ~10% |
Notable Spoiled Ballots
During the counting process at the RDS in Dublin, a variety of messages were observed on the spoiled ballots. Some of the notable writings included:
- “Not my president”
- “She was only 10”
- “Maria Steen No 1”
- “Dustin the Turkey”
- “Ipas centres out of here”
The message regarding “she was only 10” references a serious legal case involving a man accused of assaulting a child. Due to legal constraints, his identity remains protected.
Concerns from Political Leaders
Labour leader Ivana Bacik voiced her apprehension regarding the situation. She described the elevated level of vitriol among the messages as concerning. Bacik suggested that there may be an orchestrated effort behind the high number of spoiled votes.
The complete tally of spoiled votes is expected to be announced later in the day, shedding more light on this unusual phenomenon in the current election cycle. As the count progresses, observers will continue to monitor both the spoiled votes and any underlying causes for this trend.
