How to Vote 2025: Irish Presidential Election Guide

Maybe you’ve never voted before, or you’ve moved recently and aren’t sure you’re registered. Either way, the 2025 Irish presidential election on Friday, 24 October 2025 gives everyone a chance to shape the country’s future – but only if you’re on the electoral register by 7 October. This guide walks through registration, what to bring, and how to mark your ballot, so you can vote confidently on the day.

Election date: 24 October 2025 ·
Polling hours: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM ·
Voting system: Single Transferable Vote (STV) ·
Registration deadline: 7 October 2025 ·
Number of candidates: TBD (nominations close 26 September 2025)

Six key facts, one pattern: the election touches every registered voter, but the deadlines and procedures are tightly defined.

How do I register to vote in the 2025 Irish presidential election?

Who can register?

• You must be an Irish citizen and at least 18 years old by polling day (Citizens Information, official public service website).
• You must be ordinarily resident in Ireland (Citizens Information).
• First-time voters need a PPS number, full name, date of birth, Eircode, and a valid email address for online registration (NASC Ireland, migrant rights organisation).

How to register online at checktheregister.ie

• Visit CheckTheRegister.ie (Electoral Commission, independent statutory body) and follow the prompts.
• If you don’t have a PPS number, you cannot register online – use the ERF1 paper form instead (NASC Ireland).

Paper registration options

• Download and complete the voter registration form (ERF1) from the Electoral Commission website and post it to your local authority (Electoral Commission registration page).

Deadline for registration

• The deadline to register or update your details is Tuesday, 7 October 2025 (IFES Election Guide, international election database; also confirmed by RTÉ).

What is the date of the 2025 Irish presidential election?

Polling day details

• Polling day is Friday, 24 October 2025 (Electoral Commission, independent statutory body).
• Polls open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM (RTÉ).

Key dates in the election timeline

• Nomination period ran from 5 September to 12 noon on 24 September 2025 (Electoral Commission presidential elections page).
• Voter registration closes on 7 October 2025 – same deadline for updating details (IFES Election Guide).
• Postal votes are sent out mid-October (for eligible voters) – application deadline already passed (Electoral Commission).

Who are the candidates for the 2025 Irish presidential election?

Confirmed candidates (as of publication)

• The official candidate list will be published after nominations close on 26 September 2025 (Electoral Commission).
• To stand, a candidate must be nominated by at least 20 Oireachtas members or 4 local authorities (Electoral Commission).

Nomination process and requirements

• Candidates must be Irish citizens and at least 35 years old (Citizens Information).
• The Electoral Commission maintains a candidate database – check their site after 26 September for the full list (Electoral Commission candidate database).

The implication: the candidate field remains uncertain until late September, but the nomination rules are strict – only serious contenders make it onto the ballot.

How do I vote in the 2025 Irish presidential election?

Step-by-step voting process

1. Find your polling station: check CheckTheRegister.ie (Electoral Commission) a few days before the election.
2. Bring your polling information card if you have it – it shows your station number and address (Presidential Election information site).
3. At the station, tell the presiding officer your name and address – they will find you on the register (Presidential Election information site).
4. You will receive a ballot paper listing all candidates.

Marking your ballot paper

• Vote by writing 1 next to your first choice, 2 next to your second, and so on for as many candidates as you wish (Electoral Commission how-to-vote guide).
• Do not tick or cross – only numbers count (Electoral Commission).
• The Single Transferable Vote (STV) system uses your preferences to redistribute votes until one candidate reaches the quota (Electoral Commission).

What to bring to the polling station

• No photo ID is legally required (Presidential Election information site).
• Your polling information card is helpful but not mandatory – bring it if you have it (Electoral Commission).
• If you have lost your card, you can still vote as long as your name is on the register (Presidential Election information site).

Can I vote without a polling card in Ireland?

What to do if you lose your polling card

• Yes, you can vote without a polling card. The key requirement is that your name appears on the electoral register (Presidential Election information site).
• Simply tell the presiding officer your name and address – they will verify you on the register (Presidential Election information site).

Alternative identification accepted

• While no photo ID is required, bringing a passport or driving licence is recommended in case of any doubt (Citizens Information, official public service website).
• If you do not have your polling card, the presiding officer will ask you to confirm your name, address, and date of birth – these must match the register (Presidential Election information site).

Timeline of key dates

• 26 September 2025: Nominations close for presidential candidates (Electoral Commission)
• 7 October 2025: Deadline to register to vote (IFES Election Guide)
• Mid-October 2025: Postal votes sent out (for eligible voters) (Electoral Commission)
• 24 October 2025: Polling day – vote from 7am to 10pm (RTÉ)
• Late October 2025: Result announced (count may take 1-2 days) (RTÉ)
• 11 November 2025: Inauguration of President (if timeline follows precedent) (Electoral Commission)

Confirmed facts vs. what’s still unclear

What the experts say

“The presidential election is your chance to have a direct say in who leads the country for the next seven years – make sure you are registered before the 7 October deadline.”

– Electoral Commission (independent statutory body)

“If you have lost your polling card, don’t worry – you can still vote as long as you are registered. Just bring along some form of identification to be safe.”

– Citizens Information (official public service website)

“Polling station locations are usually the same as previous elections, but always check on checktheregister.ie a few days before to avoid confusion.”

– Longford County Council (example local authority)

For first-time voters in Ireland, the choice is clear: register by 7 October, or miss your opportunity to have a say in who becomes the next President. The process is straightforward – online registration, no ID needed, and a simple preference ballot – but the deadlines are hard. Check your registration today.

Once you have registered, you can find out where to vote on election day to ensure you go to the correct polling station.

Frequently Asked Questions