Donegal constituents go to the polls today to decide on two referendums on family and care.
Voters are reminded to bring a valid form of personal identification to the polling stations.
It’s the first time, under electoral reform, that voters on the offshore islands cast their vote on the same day as people on the mainland.
Citizens have two separate votes on whether they want to accept or reject the proposed changes to Article 41 of the Constitution.
The first referendum (The Family Amendment) proposes the insertion of additional text to Article 41.1.1°, to say that “The State recognises the Family, whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships, as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society….”
It also proposes to delete text from Article 41.3.1°, removing “on which the family is founded” from: “The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the family is founded, and to protect it against attack.”
The second referendum (The Care Amendment) concerns the deletion of Article 41.2, referring to a woman’s life in the home, adding a new Article 42B: “The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support such provision.”
Independent guidance and information on the legal implications of voting is available at: www.electoralcommission.ie
