Voting and Elections

As per Circular F.04/25; the term of office of the current President expires on 10th November 2025. Article 12.3.3 of the Constitution provides that an election for the office of President shall be held in the 60-day period before the expiry of the term of office of the President. 

Article 12.4.2 of the Constitution provides that every candidate, who is not a former or retiring President, must be nominated either by: 

1. not less than twenty persons, each of whom is at the time a member of one of the Houses of the Oireachtas, or
2. by the Councils of not less than four local authorities as defined by law.  

As per Circular F.04/25; the nomination of candidates for a presidential election by city, city and county, and county councils is regulated by law under section 16 of the Presidential Elections Act 1993. It is a reserved function. 

The Presidential Election Order was signed by Minister James Browne on Wednesday 3rd September 2025. 

The window for nominations is open for 21 days and must be delivered to the Presidential Returning Officer by noon on 24 September 2025. 

Polling day is set for Friday 24 October (7am - 10pm).

Following the signing of the Presidential Election Order by Minister James Browne on Wednesday 3rd September 2025, the Mayor of Fingal County Council, Cllr Tom O’Leary has called a Special Meeting of the Council to consider the nomination of a candidate for the presidential election.  

This Special Meeting is to be held on Friday 12th September 2025 at 5.00pm in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Swords.

An eligible candidate must be:

• an Irish Citizen
• 35 years of age or older

Proof of both is required to be provided to Fingal County Council prior to be being considered for nomination (e.g. passport).

• A person, who has met the eligible criteria above, and who is seeking Fingal County Council’s nomination is required, in the first instance, to secure the sponsorship of four Elected Members of Fingal County Council, as per Fingal County Council Standing Order No. 143, and submit the completed Presidential Candidate Nomination Form (Appendix II attached). 

Full guidelines of the Fingal County Council Nomination Process can be found at:

• Nomination Process for Presidential Candidates
• Nomination Form for Presidential Candidates
• Foirm Ainmniúcháin Chomhairle Contae Fhine Gall d’Iarrthóirí do Thoghchán Uachtaráin

• Register to vote or update details - English version
• Register to vote or update details - Leagan Gaeilge
• Third party request to amend the register - English version
• Third party request to amend the register - Leagan Gaeilge
• Special Voters List - English version
• Special Voters List - Leagan Gaeilge

You can register to vote if you are:

• 18 years or over on the day of the vote and
• Resident in Ireland

Irish Citizens can vote in: 

• General Elections 
• European Elections 
• Local Elections 
• Presidential Elections 
• Referendums 

British Citizens can vote in:

• General Elections 
• Local Elections 

European Union Citizens:

• European Elections 
• Local Elections

Non-European Union Citizens:

• Local Elections

You can vote in a local election if you are a non-EU citizen, regardless of the type of residence you hold, or if you are seeking asylum and have not had a decision on your application.

Those aged 16-17, can pre-register to vote on www.checktheregister.ie. They will be automatically added to the register once they turn 18 years old.

If you have any queries on registering to vote, updating your details or on the check the register website, you can contact the Franchise Team at  [email protected]

Your address is required as it affects where you will vote. Providing your Eircode helps to accurately identify your address. To vote, you must be living full time at an address in the State.

There are several reasons why this might be the case:

Unless you enter your name and address exactly as they are listed on the register then you won’t find your details. For example; you search for Main Street when it is called Main Road on the Register.

Can your name be spelt another way for example O’Donnell, ODonnell, O'Donnell , Claire, Clare, Sean without a fada etc. Unless you are querying it the way it is entered on the system you won’t be able to find your records. Every effort is made to ensure your name is spelt correctly. If it isn’t please let us know and it can be amended on request.

You are on the supplemental register which is not viewable online.

You are on the draft register. You are not on the Register of Electors until after the 15th February of the following year.

A misspelling is regretted and should be notified to the Council when the draft register is published. If however you are late checking the register and have only now become aware please email [email protected] with the phrase “incorrect spelling of name” in the subject bar. This office can notify the Returning Officer of the issue to ensure you can vote on polling day. You will still be required to present evidence of identity.

If you didn’t apply in time to be included on the Draft Register then you can apply at any time of the year to be included on the Supplemental Register. You are automatically transferred from the Supplemental Register to the Live Register at the time of publication of the next Live Register. If you are on the Supplemental Register you will be voting at Table 1 in the designated Polling Location. Polling Cards for those on the Supplement are sent out after those on the Live Register as the closing date for receipt of applications is so close to Polling Day.

The latest date is 14 days prior to Polling Day excluding Sundays and Public Holidays. If the Council refuses to accept your application for inclusion you can appeal this decision to the County Registrar.