Daria Walsh, originally from Pennsylvania and living in Ireland for 12 years casts her vote this evening in the 'Global Presidential Primary' Brian Lawless / PA Wire Brian Lawless / PA Wire / PA Wire

YOU MAY BE surprised to learn that tonight Dublin is taking a bigger role in the US Presidential race than you might have thought.

The Arlington Hotel that fronts onto Dublin’s River Liffey has played host to around 140 voters looking to have their say in the race for the Democratic nomination.

Up until 8pm, those taking part were able to fill out their secret ballot and place it in a white box marked ‘VOTE HERE’, sitting atop a table adorned with Old Glory.

Dan Bolger, originally from Philadelphia and living in Dublin for 10 years casts his vote this evening Brian Lawless / PA Wire Brian Lawless / PA Wire / PA Wire

TJ Mulloy, chairman of Democrats Abroad Ireland, has been living here for the past five years and told TheJournal.ie that the delegates chosen will go forward to Democratic National Convention in July.

Mulloy explained that while Democratic supporters across the world are able to cast their vote in the ‘Global Presidential Primary’, an equivalent does not exist for the Republican party.

He explains:

We value the diaspora vote hugely. Especially in a year when the anti-immigrant vote is so big on the right of American politics. We’re all immigrants ourselves and we cherish the Democratic Party for giving us the right to vote.

Jim Fenton, originally from Boston, casts his vote in Dublin this evening Brian Lawless / PA Wire Brian Lawless / PA Wire / PA Wire

Any US citizens who might think they missed their opportunity this evening will be pleased to know they can still have their say.

Another session will be held at Monroes Tavern in Galway next Saturday and they are also able to cast their vote online at DemocratsAbroad.org until 8 March. 

Read: Super Tuesday could make this man very happy

Also: Watch Ted Cruz describe how he will deport illegal Irish immigrants from the US