Polling sees poor turnout and some confusion

Counting begins this morning in two referenda that together look like they will only marginally avoid setting a new record for the worst voter turnout in the country’s history.

Turnout varied between the low 20% figures in some areas to a reported 50% in Kenmare.

In other areas, such as Sligo, parts of Wicklow, south Dublin, and Kerry, turnout was reported to have hit 40%.

These figures, and unusually average returns from traditionally apathetic areas in Donegal, are likely to see the percentage turnout avoid hitting a new low.

It may even stay above the 30% mark.

Currently, the worst turnout occurred in 1978 when 28.6% of the electorate voted to extend the franchise in Seanad elections.

Voter confusion, especially amongst elderly voters, was reported at a number of polling stations.

The Referendum Commission said it had a number of phone calls “regarding confusion and people voicing their concerns”.

“A teacher phoned to say ‘I’m and intelligent person and I was confused,” a spokesperson said.

The main problem appeared to be the size of the typeface on both ballot papers, which was the responsibility of the Department of the Environment.

Niall Collins, FF’s director of elections, said he had received a number of calls from people who were confused.

“There is no doubt that the format and language on the ballot papers has caused genuine confusion across the country today,” said Mr Collins. “I’ve had calls from people who were actually upset by being confused.

“Given the €14m-plus that the Government spent on these referendums, it beggars belief that they were not able to present the questions in a clearer and more concise ballot.”

In Kilkenny, many voters were unable to figure out which constitutional amendment they were voting for and had to get the help of presiding officers to help them out.

Some voters complained that the only reference on the ballot paper to either the court of appeal or Seanad amendment was in very small writing in brackets and is not immediately obvious to voters.

Leading lawyer and former councillor Michael Lanigan said: “There will be a lot of concern over the fact that people really had no idea which amendment they were voting for and I had to ask the presiding officer to tell me which one was which.”

Some voters in Kerry also had difficulty in understanding the wording on the ballot paper, especially in relation to the abolition of the Seanad.

Polling booth staff said some people thought that by voting yes in the Seanad referendum, they were voting for the retention of the Seanad, not realising the opposite was the case.

There was also a lack of knowledge and understanding about the Court of Appeal referendum, they said.

“People who had informed themselves about the issues had no problem,’’ said one polling officer. “It was those who came to the polling stations without knowing the issues that were having difficulties and asking questions.”