TODAY IS THE last chance for people to register to have their say in the presidential election.

You can register to vote in the presidential election by going to www.checktheregister.ie to see if you are eligible and put in your registration application.

The election will take place on Friday 24 October later this month.

The Electoral Commission advises that thousands of applications are received prior to an election so there could be a few days between a person making an application and being added to the register.

If you do not provide your PPSN on the form, you will need to get your form witnessed by either a garda, a member of the civilian staff of An Garda Síochána or a local authority official.

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has urged over 630,000 people aged 18 to 29 to register to vote before today’s deadline.

It said there are over 62,000 potential first time voters – who turned 18 and became eligible to vote in 2025 – who it is encouraging to make sure they are on the register.

Kathryn Walsh, NYCI’s Director for Policy and Advocacy, said Ireland’s youth population represents almost one in five of those of voting age in Ireland.

“We know from our work with young people that the vast majority want to vote but not all are aware of the deadline or of the need to register,” Walsh said.

“With online voter registration, engaging in the electoral process has never been more straightforward, so that’s why it’s so important to get the word out ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, and make sure young people’s voices can be heard in the upcoming election.”

It’s been a whirlwind few days in the election, with Connolly defending her attempts to hire a woman convicted by the Special Criminal Courtin 2018, to Jim Gavin dramatically exiting the race as allegations he owed €3,300 to a former tenant overtook his campaign.

It leaves Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys as the challenger to the left-backed Connolly. However, it’s understood Gavin’s name will still appear on the ballot.

The first poll of the campaign since nominations closed, released yesterday, put Connolly out in front of Humphreys – but Gavin’s surprise departure may well upend those early predictions.