What referendum? Kilkenny on track for lowest ever voting turnout

Kilkenny is on track for one of the county's lowest ever electoral turnouts, as polling in today's referendum is reported as very slow this morning.

The public are being asked to vote on two questions today, one on Family and the other on Care. Voters will be given two separate voting papers when they go to their polling stations today (Friday, March 8).

However, the finger is being pointed to failures in advertising the referendum and explaining exactly what the changes proposed will mean, as a reason for today's very low turnout.

One rural Kilkenny school, which is closed today to be used as a polling station, actually had two separate families turn up with children in uniform, ready for the school day! 

At lunchtime most polling stations were reporting that the percentage turnout was "still in single digits." In the rural polling station in Skeoghvosteen  numbers were very low, as were numbers across the city where the Kilkenny People was given a lunchtime report of 3%.

In Glenmore village a turnout of just 7% was reported by lunchtime, while in Bennettsbridge a turnout of 13% was one of the highest in the county. 

At Muckalee the turnout was described as "a trickle" of people, mid-morning, and in Callan just 8% of people had voted by noon.

Voters are reminded that they do not need a polling card to vote, as there are reports of some people not receiving them in the post. Bring some ID to the polling station with you, like a driving licence or passport. 

Polling stations will remain open until 10pm and the count will be held tomorrow.