Poll: Do you vote all the way down on a ballot paper?

Some people include every candidate in their list of preferences, while others leave some boxes blank.

By Órla Ryan Thursday 6 Feb 2020, 10:41 AM

Feb 6th 2020, 10:41 AM 38,956 Views 172 Comments

https://jrnl.ie/4994772

File photo of ballot papers in the count centre after the Wexford by-election in November 2019.

Image: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

File photo of ballot papers in the count centre after the Wexford by-election in November 2019.

Image: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

AS YOU MAY be aware, the general election is happening on Saturday.

Candidates across the country will be making last-ditch efforts to secure votes in the next two days, seeking as many first preferences as possible.

In Ireland we use the PR-STV system and transfers can be hugely influential on the outcome of a vote.

There is some debate about whether it’s better to include a preference beside every candidate on a ballot paper, obviously giving the lowest number to your least favourite candidate, or not giving any preference to a person you don’t want elected.

We want to know: Do you vote all the way down on a ballot paper?

Poll Results:

No (6916)

Sometimes (2474)

Yes, always (2343)

I don't vote (158)

I can't vote (131)

Keep up-to-date with all the campaigning and conversation before polling day on 8 February with our regular newsletter:

Short URL

About the author:

About the author

Órla Ryan

@orlaryan

orla@thejournal.ie

See more articles by Órla Ryan

Contribute to this story:

COMMENTS (172)

This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.

write a comment

Leave a commentcancel

Facebook

Twitter

Share Comment on Facebook or Twitter

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Poll: Do you vote all the way down on a ballot paper?