Opinion
07 Jun 24

Voting is underway for local and European elections

Photo: Heather O'Sullivan

Polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm this evening.

Voting is taking place today in three electoral contests - the local elections, the European elections, and the vote for the first directly elected mayor of Limerick.

More than 6,500 polling stations opened at 7am this morning and will remain open until 10pm.

The sorting and counting of votes will begin on Saturday at 9am for the local elections, and the European elections will be counted on Sunday.

More than 3.7 million people are registered to vote in the local elections, and nearly 3.6 million people are registered for the European elections.

Voters will elect 949 councillors out of more than 2,100 candidates across 31 local authorities.

Taoiseach Simon Harris voted at his local polling station in Delgany National School in Co Wicklow shortly before 7.15am.

“It is so important that people get out and vote, that they have their say that they cast their ballot,” the Taoiseach said. “Because of course, if you don’t turn up you are allowing someone else to speak on your behalf.

“So polls are open until 10pm tonight, I would urge everybody to get out, have their say in what is a great exercise in democracy. We live in a healthy democracy and today is working proof of it.”

Many Irish politicians casted their vote this morning and are encouraging other eligible voters to follow in their footsteps.

Very pleased to be here this morning at St. Anthony’s School to vote with family.

Polls are open until 10pm tonight. I would urge you to come out and vote and to vote for Fianna Fáil candidates in the Local, European and Limerick Mayoral elections. pic.twitter.com/LF9gbkoeah

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 7, 2024

Job Done! #VotáilSinnFéin #ChangeStartsHere #Dogsatpollingstations #LE24 #EE24 pic.twitter.com/GoMEsqtjOk

— Lynn Boylan 🍷📖🐾 (@LNBDublin) June 7, 2024