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The polling station in St. Canice's Boys' National School Finglas this morning. Leon Farrell/©Rollingnews.ie

Poll: Should schools close for polling day?

It’s election day.

THE LOCAL AND European Elections are taking place today, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to cast their vote in polling centres across the country.

In many cases primary schools are being used as polling stations, resulting in school closures and an extra day off for pupils.

While some parents complain of being put out by the day off, schools can sometimes be the only suitable buildings to facilitate voting.

Whether you’ve already cast your vote or you’ll be filling out the ballot paper later, we want to know what you think about schools closing for polling day.

And if you’re looking for more information before you vote, here are your European election candidates, your local election candidates, and a quick explainer on how to fill out the ballot paper.

So today we’re asking: Should schools close for polling day?


Poll Results:

No (6511)
Yes (3939)
Unsure (369)

 

This work is co-funded by Journal Media and a grant programme from the European Parliament. Any opinions or conclusions expressed in this work are the author’s own. The European Parliament has no involvement in nor responsibility for the editorial content published by the project. For more information, see here.

 

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    Mute Tricia G28
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:12 AM

    What’s the alternative? We could have voting at the weekends I suppose.

    However, if it’s a choice between making voting accessible or closing a school for one day, I’m going to choose closing the school.

    Surely it’s an opportunity for some civic education too.

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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:24 AM

    @Tricia G28: Is there any reason we shouldn’t have voting at weekends?

    It would make is easier for most to vote, including students who might be registered ‘at home’, most workers who wouldn’t be trying to squeeze voting into an already busy day, and even poll station workers themselves.

    It would also reduce the disruption to parents/guardians of school-going children, trying to get child care for those days.

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    Mute Tricia G28
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:39 AM

    @ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: I don’t disagree. But if weekend voting is a no-go (for whatever reason) I’m fine with closing the school for a day.

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    Mute Geraldine O'Riordan
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:14 PM

    @ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere:

    Just 3 little points to consider
    1 A lot of people go away at weekends over the summer.. May to Sept inclusive
    2 Staff working at the polling booths would be entitled to double time, etc
    And 3 Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm…long enough for people to be able to get to vote..

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    Mute Paula Doyle
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:26 PM

    @Tricia G28: if they just paid to hire a location rather than use a free school. Parents have to organise child care or take a day’s holiday to accommodate this voting on a work day.

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:32 PM

    @Paula Doyle: 95% of the annual leave i take is for things relating to my kids anyway. What’s one more day in the grand scheme of things. I’d say it’s much the same for most parents. Similarly with childcare, it’s announced literally months in advance. I know not everyone has the privilege of a great support network, but most people will be able to work something out. I think they deserve a day off now and then, remember how much i loved then when i was that age.

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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:42 PM

    @Geraldine O’Riordan: People go away over the weekend at all times of the year these days. Weekend breaks have become very common. Some European countries have weekend voting, and I’m sure the same would apply.
    Staff would not be entitled to any more double time that at present, as they are working the same number of hours. And that would be a just a cost of elections anyway, as distinct to putting the costs – such as childcare – onto the voter.

    There are people in my family who will not be able to vote because it is held today, but would have been if tomorrow.

    How many homeless are being disenfranchised because they are in accommodation remote from their registration address?
    Students likewise.

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:17 PM

    @ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: They don’t want students voting mainly as they tend to vote against parties in power

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    Mute Brendan McCaffrey
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    Jun 7th 2024, 6:23 PM

    @Tricia G28: thanks teech !

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    Mute Paul O Connor
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    Jun 7th 2024, 8:56 PM

    @Geraldine O’Riordan:
    1. Have early voting like other places. If you’re away on the day you can vote the week before.
    2. I work weekends I don’t get double time so why should the staff here for a one off gig.
    3. People are living further and further from work these days due to increased housing prices in urban area in particular time is important.
    In OZ for example voting is a Saturday. Schools sell sausages/cakes with the proceeds going to the school as the food is donated. People hang around and chat and get to know each other.

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    Mute J Ven
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:14 AM

    Close them, but recover the day out of the school calendar, don’t write it off, meaning that the school would need to finish a day later, teacher would need to make it up

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:47 AM

    @J Ven: what a dry balls.

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    Mute Sarah O'Sullivan
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:03 PM

    @J Ven: The school and the teachers are not the issue. They’re available to work and are being prevented from doing so. The inconvenience here is for working parents who need to find childcare.

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    Mute ecrowley ecrowley
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:48 PM

    @J Ven: All teachers work the same amount of days.

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    Mute Margaret Deacon
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    Jun 7th 2024, 6:31 PM

    @Sarah O’Sullivan: sure parents have to take days off if a child is ill, at least they have had good notice the school would be closed and make alternative arrangements

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    Mute Dramafree 2023
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:43 AM

    My kids school is not a voting centre so is open… the world didnt end, the kids just went to school! Happy days. but realistically we could have voting in town halls, garda stations, afterschool finishes, saturdays, july etc etc.

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    Mute Laois Weather
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    Jun 8th 2024, 7:13 AM

    @Dramafree 2023: Seems to be alot of teachers commenting on this thread – many of which subtly vying for another day off. Geez folks, are yea not on holidays and days off enough as it is?

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    Mute FoxyBoiiYT
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:49 AM

    Of course give the kids a day off. Anyone saying otherwise is just a humbug. I’m nearly 50 but I remember getting days off for elections. We loved it

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    Mute no no no
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:45 AM

    In other countries voting is done on weekends when most are off work.. just a thought

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    Mute Keyser Söze
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:13 AM

    “Its a disgrace that the primary school teachers get the day off” – secondary teacher just starting the 3 months holidays

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    Mute Clare Power
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:27 AM

    @Keyser Söze: Isn’t it more about working people having to find and fund childcare!

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    Mute Laura Dudley
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:25 PM

    @Keyser Söze: I have literally never said that

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    Mute Keyser Söze
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    Jun 7th 2024, 2:58 PM

    @Clare Power: school is not childcare

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    Mute Clare Power
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    Jun 7th 2024, 3:06 PM

    @Keyser Söze: I didn’t say it was….don’t be dumb…..here I’ll explain in simpleton terms…if you’re child has a day off school for voting than a working parent must find alternative childcare as the child won’t be in school…ok got it now!..I can also draw it in crayon

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    Mute Michael O'Neill
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    Jun 7th 2024, 3:33 PM

    @Keyser Söze: Did anybody say it was? Parents structure their working time around their kids. If the kids are busy in school they don’t need childcare. If they’re off they do. How is this a complicated thing to understand.

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    Mute Pat Redmond
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    Jun 7th 2024, 7:14 PM

    @Keyser Söze: primary teachers have a shorter day

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    Mute Mike Carson
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:01 PM

    Can we not use other public buildings other than schools?

    97
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    Mute honey badger
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:38 AM

    Yes. It’s a fine tradition!

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    Mute JP
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:41 PM

    ASAP Ban all XLs and Pit bulls . Not needed , a Jack Russell is perfect company.

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    Mute Clare Teresa O'Gorman
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    Jun 7th 2024, 2:52 PM

    @JP: A Jack Russell x Labrador attacked and tragically killed a young child in Waterford. No dog breed is inherently vicious, but always should be monitored in my opinion.

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    Mute Milly
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:53 PM

    Any reason Community Centres and Scout Dens are not being utilised where available? Why is the first Choice to take kids out of school?

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    Mute should be put back for hotels there prices are ou
    Favourite should be put back for hotels there prices are ou
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:55 PM

    How can the schools open when all the teachers are working in the pooling stations cant under stand how people on jobseekers ord retired cant get thes jobs

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    Mute declan benson
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    Jun 7th 2024, 2:00 PM

    Schools closed yet a community center beside it lies idle…..
    Ireland stuck in the 80s still.

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    Mute Robert Halvey
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:26 AM

    Absolutely yes even if they are not aware of the specific reasons for having a day off its important education on how we all matter

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:51 AM

    Ours have a week off as it’s hay week. #countrylife

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    Mute Daithí Ó Gruagáin
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:14 PM

    They should be held at the weekend so everyone has an opportunity to vote including students who are registered at the other end of the country from their university/college. Voting should also be compulsory so that the whingers can have their say too.

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    Mute ben wu
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:43 PM

    We have a decent number of Bank/Public holidays. Why not make the voting days coincide with one?

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:45 AM

    Yes. Anyone who voted no is a misery.

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    Mute Mike Carson
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:01 PM

    @Setanta O’Toole: Anyone who voted yes doesn’t have kids or value education.

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:05 PM

    @Mike Carson: i voted Yes and i have two kids, and greatly value education. I just didn’t grow up to begrudge people getting days off because i didn’t get them. One day out of school towards the end of the year when they are on the wind down anyway won’t condemn them to a life of ignorance Mike.

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:33 PM

    @Ulysses 31: i’ll agree with you on that Ulysses, great to find common ground on something.

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    Mute Charlie Arum
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:13 PM

    Because nearly all the comments’ sections are closed on The Journal.ie articles, it’s not a good read anymore.

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    Mute Caoimh Nolan
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    Jun 7th 2024, 2:11 PM

    Where there is an alternative to closing schools it should be used.
    There is a spate of elections this year. Possibly 4 school closures in 12 months. This is too many days for a child to loose and too disruptive for working parents.

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    Mute Paul
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:15 PM

    Teachers have too many days off already.

    Do your “training days” on election days, and give the tax payer a break you leeches

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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:53 PM

    I’m just back from voting.

    Where I would have seen a handful of voters around this time in previous years, there were several dozen today.

    That’s just one snapshot of course.

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    Mute Bryan Mc Mahon
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    Jun 7th 2024, 12:22 PM

    Just make the day back up in the summer/ Christmas/Easter or 2 mid term holidays

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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:29 PM

    Most of the teachers are probably working in the polling stations anyway, and getting paid for it too!!

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    Mute Pat Redmond
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    Jun 7th 2024, 7:15 PM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: and the school secretaries

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    Mute Pat O'Shea
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    Jun 7th 2024, 4:12 PM

    A feasibility study should be carried out by the local community of any given town/village to ascertain if there is a better alternative such as a community centre that is vacant on the day. Schools should be used only as a last resort rather than prioritised as the first option out of pure convenience/tradition.

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    Mute 6gRrQtLn
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:20 PM

    Do the voting in the pubs, probably get 99% of the voters voting then

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    Mute Miles Kennedy
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    Jun 7th 2024, 2:24 PM

    There is a bit more to this than just a one day inconvenience for parents.
    Closing schools for voting creates a bit of awareness in the very youngest members of society that there is an election on, leading to them getting the chance to ask about democracy. Kids would generally prefer to have a day off school if given the option, so for your average kid:
    School = Bad
    Democracy = Day off school = Good
    Therefore Democracy = Good
    Sadly, looking at a lot of the candidates, this is a very important message to inculcate in the youth of Ireland.

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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jun 7th 2024, 8:57 PM

    There’s no need to make schools Voting centres. Every town or village has a community centre or hall which could be used.

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    Mute RIP
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:14 PM

    JUST VOTE

    12
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    Mute qffaffaf affrafrfraf
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    Jun 7th 2024, 2:00 PM

    Polling day should be a bank holiday for everyone

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    Mute Charlie Arum
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:14 PM

    Because nearly all the comments’ sections are closed on The Journal.ie, it’s not a good read anymore.

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    Mute dasgeht dichnixan
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    Jun 7th 2024, 5:15 PM

    polling day should always be a Sunday

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    Mute Paul
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:16 PM

    No votes for long term doleheads either!

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    Mute Joe Bergin
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:28 PM

    If they have room to stay open they should.

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    Mute peter lynch
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    Jun 7th 2024, 9:41 PM

    Can we have a pole to stop stupid poles???? Children will survive with a day less in school! They are no longer learning anything anyway! It’s all been watered down to protect their wellbeing

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    Mute Patricia Dorney
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    Jun 8th 2024, 12:38 AM

    @peter lynch: poll, polls.

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    Mute Garreth Byrne
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    Jun 7th 2024, 8:44 PM

    I like to gawk inside schools on polling day. I can’t get inside on school days.

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    Mute gregory pym
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    Jun 8th 2024, 6:32 PM

    Voting should be on Saturday so that college students can get home to vote .

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    Mute John Mcmahon
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    Jun 7th 2024, 11:23 PM

    Everywhere should valise for polling day

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    Mute Gavin Gray
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    Jun 7th 2024, 1:27 PM

    offices should be closed, so I can food before dinner

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    Mute Daniel Skelton
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    Jun 7th 2024, 3:26 PM

    Sometimes I wish I could post GIFs in the comments.

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    Mute Max
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    Jun 7th 2024, 7:00 PM

    N is going to America to address the House of Representatives. Maybe his plane could be intercepted by the Air Corps, as it crosses Ireland, forced down, and the culprit handed over to the ICC in The Hague.

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