5 Things You Need to Know About the 7 June Elections
On Friday, 7 June, Irish citizens will be heading to the polls to participate in three crucial elections. Here are five essential points you should be aware of before casting your vote.
What Are We Voting For on Friday 7 June?
This upcoming Friday marks a significant day for Irish democracy as three elections will be taking place simultaneously. Voters will have the opportunity to participate in the European Parliament elections, the local elections, and the first-ever directly elected Mayor of Limerick. While most citizens will be eligible to vote in the European Parliament and local elections, only those registered in the Limerick city and county electoral areas can cast their vote for the mayor.
How Many Seats Are Being Filled?
European Parliament:
– 14 MEPs will be chosen to represent Ireland at the European Parliament.
– The elections will be spread across four days, with Ireland starting on 7 June.
– A total of 720 MEPs will be elected by 373 million eligible voters in Europe.
Local Elections:
– 949 seats are up for grabs in county and city councils in 166 local electoral areas.
– Over 2,100 candidates, including a record number of women, are vying for positions.
Limerick Mayor:
– Limerick will be electing its first directly elected mayor from a pool of 15 candidates.
What’s the Gender Balance Like?
– Women make up 40% of the candidates running for the Limerick mayoral election.
– Across Ireland, 24 out of 73 European election candidates are women.
– Outgoing MEPs in Europe have a 41% female representation, while Ireland’s outgoing MEPs include five women.
– The local elections this year have the highest number of female candidates ever, with 31.4% of the candidates being women.
When Will We Know the Results?
– Local election counting will begin on Saturday, 8 June, with European election counts following.
– The length of the count will depend on voter turnout and the competitiveness of the races.
– Limerick’s mayoral election count will commence on Monday, 10 June, with results expected by late that night or early Tuesday.
As Irish citizens prepare to exercise their democratic right, the outcomes of these elections will shape the political landscape for the coming years. Stay tuned for the latest updates and results as the nation heads to the polls on 7 June.