Ireland's Presidential Election: Key Takeaways and Statistics

Strategic Insights -

Polling day has arrived in Ireland as the nation votes to elect its next president. The contest is between left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, former Cabinet minister Heather Humphreys, and ex-Dublin football manager Jim Gavin, who withdrew from campaigning three weeks ago due to a 16-year-old dispute over unpaid rent. The winner will replace Michael D Higgins, a popular poet and former arts minister, who has served the maximum two terms in office.

Key Takeaways:

  • The election will be counted by hand from 9am at 31 count centers, representing 43 electoral constituencies, across the country.
  • Ireland uses a system of transferable votes in elections, but with only three candidates on the ballot, there can only be a maximum of two counts.
  • If the gap between Ms Humphreys and Ms Connolly cannot be bridged by Mr Gavin's votes, the 10th president will be declared after one count.
  • The turnout in the 2018 presidential election was 44%, and opinion polls in the weeks before polling day put Ms Connolly ahead of Ms Humphreys by a significant margin.
  • Jim Gavin's late withdrawal from the race has had serious implications for the Fianna Fail party and its leader, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, who championed Mr Gavin.
  • The president of Ireland is a largely ceremonial role, involving hosting other heads of state, diplomatic, and civic engagements.
  • The Irish president must also consider whether legislation passed by the parliament complies with the constitution and refer it to the Supreme Court if needed.

Statistics:

  • 31 count centers will be used across the country to count the votes.
  • 43 electoral constituencies will be represented in the election.
  • The turnout in the 2018 presidential election was 44%.
  • Only three candidates are running in this year's election: Catherine Connolly, Heather Humphreys, and Jim Gavin (who has withdrawn).
  • If Jim Gavin garners the most votes, he would still be elected as president, despite withdrawing from the campaign.

Sources:

  • [Grinne N. Aodha Counting is to begin on Saturday to reveal who the Irish public have voted to be their next president. (No publication date)]
  • [Barry Ryan, presidential returning officer]
  • [Ireland uses a system of transferable votes in elections.]
  • [The turnout in the 2018 presidential election was 44%.]
  • [PA Wire: A member of the public casts their vote in the election for the next Irish president at Claddagh National School in Galway city. (No publication date)]