At stake in this referendum:

• The proposed Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution.

Description of government structure:

• Chief of state: President Michael D. HIGGINS
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Enda KENNY
• Assembly: Ireland has a bicameral Parliament (Oireachtas) consisting of the Senate (Seanad Éireann) with 60 seats and the House of Representatives (Dáil Éireann) with 166 seats.

** The Prime Minister is nominated by the House of Representatives (Dáil Éireann).

Electoral Requirements:

• Proposed amendments to the Constitution that pass both houses of Parliament are put to a popular vote. Referendums require a simple majority to pass. 

About the referendum: 

• The proposed amendment would replace Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution, which restricts legal abortions to those cases when the pregnancy represents a substantial threat to the life of the mother. In place of the old provision, the referendum would add: “Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancy.”

Main provisions in the referendum:

• "Do you approve of the proposal to amend the Constitution contained in the undermentioned Bill?"​ 

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 4,832,765 (2014 est.)
• Registered voters: 3,367,556 (2018) 

Gender Data:

• Female Population: 2,418,761 (2014 est.)
• Is Ireland a signatory to CEDAW: No
• Has Ireland ratified CEDAW: Yes (23 December 1985)
• Gender Quota:  Yes
• Female Candidates in this election: N/A
• Number of Female Legislators: 25 (15%) of 166 seats in the Dáil Éireann
• Human Development Index (HDI) Position: 11
• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A

Disability Data:

• Is Ireland a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)
• Has Ireland ratified CRPD: No