Irish constitutional referendums, 2015

A political poster in favor of the same-sex marriage amendment

The government of Ireland held referendums on 22 May 2015 on two proposed amendments to the Constitution of Ireland.[1] The amendments, which were among those recommended by the Constitutional Convention, would reduce the age of candidacy for the President of Ireland from 35 to 21, and permit same-sex marriage.[2] A Dáil by-election in Carlow–Kilkenny was held on the same day.[2] Other amendments were considered but not proceeded with, including reducing the voting age from 18 to 16, and sanctioning the establishment of a Unified Patent Court.[3][4]

Same-sex marriage

Voters were asked whether to add to the Constitution that "marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex".[5] The proposal was supported by the Government as well as all major political parties,[6][7][8] and was approved by 62.07% of voters.[9]

Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2015
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,201,607 62.07
No 734,300 37.93
Valid votes 1,935,907 99.29
Invalid or blank votes 13,818 0.71
Total votes 1,949,725 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 3,221,681 60.52

Presidential candidacy age

Voters rejected a proposal to reduce the age of eligibility to run for president from 35 to 21 by a 73% to 27% margin.[10]

Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2015
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 1,412,602 73.06
Yes 520,898 26.94
Valid votes 1,933,500 99.18
Invalid or blank votes 15,938 0.82
Total votes 1,949,438 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 3,221,681 60.51

References

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