Polling stations will be open today from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.
All voters will be given three ballot papers, but voters in some urban areas will get four.
The first, a white one, is for the election to the European Parliament. There are different candidates in the four constituencies of Dublin, Leinster, Munster and Connacht-Ulster, and for the first time the ballot papers will show photographs of the candidates.
The second, a green document, concerns the referendum to amend the Constitution to give constitutional recognition to local government. Voters will be asked if they approve or disapprove of a proposal to insert a new article after Article 28 of the Constitution, viz:
Local Government
Article 28A.
1. The State recognises the role of local government in providing a forum for the democratic representation of local communities, in exercising and performing at local level powers and functions conferred by law and in promoting by its initiatives the interests of such communities.
2. There shall be such directly elected local authorities as may be determined by law and their powers and functions shall, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, be so determined and shall be exercised and performed in accordance with law.
3. Elections for members of such local authorities shall be held in accordance with law not later than the end of the fifth year after the year in which they were last held.
4. Every citizen who has the right to vote at an election for members of Dail Eireann and such other persons as may be determined by law shall have the right to vote at an election for members of such of the local authorities referred to in section 2 of this Article as shall be determined by law.
5. Casual vacancies in the membership of local authorities referred to in section 2 of this Article shall be filled in accordance with law.
The third paper is for election to city, county or borough councils.
There will be a fourth in those urban areas which elect members to an urban district council or town commissioners.