RTÉ Election 2007

Where do I go to vote?

You will receive a voting card in the post - bring this along with some form of ID to your local polling station, which is indicated on the card. An official at the station will give you a ballot paper and pen, and then you can go to an available booth.

How do I cast my vote?

The ballot paper will list all the candidates alphabetically, and if they wish it will also have their picture and party logo.

You rank by number who you would like to vote for in order of preference - including as many or as few names as you like. You then return to the official's desk and place your vote in the ballot box.

What happens then?

When the polling stations close, all the ballot boxes at each polling station are brought to a single count centre in your constituency. The count begins the next morning.

How is my vote counted?

First all the boxes are opened, the number of votes is counted and any spoilt votes are excluded. This gives the Total Valid Poll for the constituency. This number is used to calculate the quota - the number of votes a candidate must get to be elected. The first preferences on all the votes are then counted.

What happens at the end of the first count?

It is probable than not enough candidates will get over the quota to fill all of the seats available. If one or more candidates do get more votes than the quota on the first count, they leave what is called a surplus.

All of the succesful candidates' votes are then examined to see what second preferences are on them. The other candidates will get a percentage of the surplus based on how many second preferences they got in those votes.

What if this isn't enough to raise another candidate to the quota?

The next step is to eliminate the candidate in last place. Two or more candidates can be eliminated in this way in one go if it is already clear they cannot escape elimination in the long run.

These candidates' votes are then transferred according to their next available preferences. If this results in someone being elected, then only the last votes that brought that candidate over the quota are examined and then distributed, as opposed to all of the votes they received. 

How many counts are needed?

The process repeats itself until enough candidates reach the quota.  

What if a candidate isn't happy with the result?

A candidate can request a recount of a particular count or of the entire count. In a recount of a particular count, all the relevant votes are checked and moved where necessary.

In a complete recount, all of the votes are checked without moving any of them, and at the end an official called a returning officer decides on the overall effect of any errors.

If a significant error is uncovered that would likely result in a different outcome, the count is redone from the point at which the error happened.

Where can I find out about the results?

Results will be available as they are declared on RTÉ.ie, RTÉ Aertel and on mobile phones or PDAs. Users can also sign up for text message alerts.

For more information

The Department of Environment & Local Government - Guide to PR-STV