Irish constitutional referendums, 2015
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A political poster in favor of the same-sex marriage bill
The government of Ireland held referendums on 22 May 2015 on two proposed amendments to the Constitution of Ireland.[1] The amendments, which were among those recommended by the Constitutional Convention, would reduce the age of candidacy for the President of Ireland from 35 to 21, and permit same-sex marriage.[2] A Dáil by-election in Carlow–Kilkenny was held on the same day.[2] Other amendments were considered but not proceeded with, including reducing the voting age from 18 to 16, and sanctioning the establishment of a Unified Patent Court.[3][4]
Same-sex marriage
Voters were asked whether to add to the Constitution that "marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex".[5] The proposal was supported by the Government as well as all major political parties,[6][7][8] and was approved by 62.07% of voters.[9]
| Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2015 |
| Choice |
Votes |
% |
 Yes |
1,201,607 |
62.07 |
| No |
734,300 |
37.93 |
Presidential candidacy age
Voters rejected a proposal to reduce the age of eligibility to run for president from 35 to 21 by a 73% to 27% margin.[10]
| Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2015 |
| Choice |
Votes |
% |
 No |
1,412,602 |
73.06 |
| Yes |
520,898 |
26.94 |
References
