Referendum (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1992
In short
This law amends the Referendum Acts, 1942 to 1992, specifically addressing procedures for constitutional referenda related to amendments of Article 40.3 of the Constitution. It outlines how information about these referenda should be provided to voters and how ballot papers should be marked.
What it regulates
- The content of polling cards and other communications sent to electors for specific constitutional referenda.
- The process for assisting voters who require help marking their ballot papers during these referenda.
- The specific wording to be added to the front of ballot papers for the Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution Bills, 1992.
- The non-application of section 2 of the Referendum (Amendment) Act, 1992, to the referenda mentioned in this Act.
Who it concerns
- Electors participating in constitutional referenda related to the Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution.
- Local returning officers and presiding officers involved in conducting these referenda.
Key points
- Polling cards and other communications for the referenda on the Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution must include specific statements detailed in the Act's Appendix.
- Copies of these statements must be sent to all electors on the register of presidential electors who are also on the postal voters list or special voters list.
- Presiding officers must display copies of these statements in and around polling stations, though failure to do so will not invalidate a referendum.
- When assisting a voter, a presiding officer may read out the proposal and ask "Do you approve of or do you object to that Bill becoming law?". If the voter doesn't understand, the officer must read out the full statement from the Appendix and ask "Which do you wish to do— to vote in favour of the proposal to change the Constitution or to vote against the proposal to change the Constitution?".
- Ballot papers for the Twelfth Amendment will be titled "CEART CHUN BEATHA — RIGHT TO LIFE", for the Thirteenth Amendment "TAISTEAL — TRAVEL", and for the Fourteenth Amendment "FAISNÉIS — INFORMATION".
Legal text
Act, 1992 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe a
Article 40
of the Constitution by the addition of the text here following to subsection 3° of section 3 thereof: “It shall be unlawful to terminate the life of an unborn unless such termination is necessary to save the life, as distinct from the health, of the mother where there is an illness or disorder of the mother giving rise to a real and substantial risk to her life, not being a risk of self-destruction.”. Green Ballot Paper Travel The Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution Bill,
Article 40
of the Constitution by the addition of the paragraph here following to subsection 3° of section 3 thereof: “This subsection shall not limit freedom to travel between the State and another state.”. Pink Ballot Paper Information The Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution Bill,
Article 40
of the Constitution by the addition of the paragraph here following to subsection 3° of section 3 thereof: “This subsection shall not limit freedom to obtain or make available, in the State, subject to such conditions as may be laid down by law, information relating to services lawfully available in another state.”. 2. IF YOU APPROVE of the proposal in the Bill to which the ballot paper relates, mark X opposite the word YES on the paper. 3. IF YOU DO NOT APPROVE of the proposal in the Bill to which the ballot paper relates, mark X opposite the word NO on the paper. 4. Copies of the Bills can be inspected free of charge, and purchased for two pence each, at any Post Office. Restriction of section 2 of Referendum (Amendment) Act, 1992. 2.— Section 2 of the Referendum (Amendment) Act, 1992 , shall not apply to the referenda referred to in section 1 of this Act. Forms of ballot papers. 3.—The Electoral Act, 1963 , is hereby amended— (
- a)as respects a constitutional referendum in relation to the Twelfth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1992, by the insertion at the beginning of the front of the form of ballot paper set out in Part I of the Fourth Schedule (inserted by the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1972 ) of— “CEART CHUN BEATHA — RIGHT TO LIFE”; (
- b)as respects a constitutional referendum in relation to the Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1992, by the insertion at the beginning of the front of the said form of ballot paper of— “TAISTEAL — TRAVEL”; and (
- c)as respects a constitutional referendum in relation to the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1992, by the insertion at the beginning of the front of the said form of ballot paper of— “FAISNÉIS — INFORMATION”. Short title, collective citation and construction. 4.—