Referendum turnout in Kilkenny steady but remains very low
Referendum on Family and Care is taking place today
Voter turnout in today's referendum will do well to pass 30%, according to seasoned poll watchers in Kilkenny.
Polling stations across Kilkenny City and county opened this morning at 7am and will remain open until 10pm - but in many the flow of voters has been a 'trickle.'
This afternoon voter turnout was reported in the mid-teens. Some samples, before the expected 'tea-time rush' include:
Carrigeen, Mooncoin: 14%
Kilmoganny: 11%
Danesfort: 14%
The Rower: 11.5%
Clogh - Moneenroe: 15%
Kilkenny City: 15%
The lowest ever turnout for a referendum in Ireland was 28.6%
Among the reasons for the low turnout, put forward by several of Kilkenny's county councillors, are a lack of information and widespread confusion about the subject of the referendum.
"I'm disappointed that the turnout is low," said Cllr Deirdre Cullen, who added: "Many people are reporting confusion and being unsure and not fully understanding what's being asked of them." She said she does not think people are disinterested, but "people are never going to come out and vote for something they are confused about."
Several polling stations reported a pick up in numbers around lunchtime, and the 'tea time rush' is now thought to be underway. However, more than one local councillor predicted, this afternoon, that the final turnout will do well to reach 30% by the time polls close tonight.