IFES
 

May 25, 2018 Held

Ireland
Ireland
Referendum

Results

Voter Participation


Cast Votes:2,159,655
Valid Votes:2,153,613
Invalid Votes:6,042
Voter
Turnout*

Referendum Vote Share

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

Yes1,429,981

66.40

No723,632

33.60
Election Results Modified: Jun 21, 2024

General Information

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

  

Election Modified: Jun 21, 2024

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