Each room at a polling place is for a ward, which has its own ballot box. Typically one per a few hundred voters; a few streets in my case. When you go, you show your polling card and ID to some polling officers, who are very likely your neighbors.
Experienced tallymen also have sophisticated models in Excel spreadsheets that use this to forecast how many "2" , "3" votes and so on the candidates will get, and make projections for TV, Radio and so on to use as news.
-
-
Then the actual count starts! In Ireland each constituency (except the Presidency or a special election) has multiple seats, and we use a system called Proportional Representation by means of a Single Transferable Vote (PRSTV) to elect each seat.
Show this thread -
You take the turnout of the constituency, divide it by the number of seats, add one, and that's the "quota". A candidate is elected if they reach the quote. Some reach it on "1" votes alone. They get right in!
Show this thread -
When a candidate reaches the quota, all of their ballots are then re-counted but looking at the "2" votes. These votes are then distributed to those other candidates, in proportion to the elected candidate's surplus (the number of votes more than the quota they got).
Show this thread -
That raises the total for the other candidates, and maybe they reach the quota, and the same thing happens for them. Otherwise, the candidates that can't possibly be elected are eliminated, and the next preferences from their ballots are redistributed.
Show this thread -
This means there can be as many counts as there are candidates. It usually takes all day, sometimes 2, and that's before recounts! But it's worth it, it means that people's votes are never "wasted". Your vote can always go to someone.
Show this thread -
A few other things: some ballots are spoiled - some observers and representatives from parties adjudicate on these. Unclear votes are discarded, votes with identifying marks can be argued over. Generally returning officers want to favor including them than excluding.
Show this thread -
There's a media moratorium on polls in the 24 hours before an election, a period of reflection. And there's a referendum commission who writes neutral advice on the referendums and sends it to everyone. http://refcom.ie for their take on this week's.
Show this thread -
Ireland's turnout rates haven't been great for the past 20 years or so, but in general it's still a pretty robust democracy. As I write, my parents are out canvassing and knocking on doors to encourage people to vote! /end
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
At the 2011 election I predicted the result of the 9th count before the first was announced. I called the 3rd and final seat for the candidate who had been 5th on first preferences. It is rare for people to jump that many places. I'd actually pay money to tally at an election.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.