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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Same-sex referendum: Polls open in Ireland | Same-sex referendum: Polls open in Ireland |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Voters in the Republic of Ireland are taking part in a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage on Friday. | Voters in the Republic of Ireland are taking part in a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage on Friday. |
| More than 3.2m people are being asked whether they want to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. | More than 3.2m people are being asked whether they want to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. |
| Polling stations opened at 07:00 BST with voting continuing until 22:00 BST and counting due to start on Saturday morning. | Polling stations opened at 07:00 BST with voting continuing until 22:00 BST and counting due to start on Saturday morning. |
| Same-sex marriage is currently legal in 19 countries worldwide. | Same-sex marriage is currently legal in 19 countries worldwide. |
| Differences | Differences |
| Votes have already been cast in some islands as well as hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. Only Irish citizens who are registered and living in the state can take part. | Votes have already been cast in some islands as well as hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. Only Irish citizens who are registered and living in the state can take part. |
| They will be asked whether they agree with the statement: "Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex". | They will be asked whether they agree with the statement: "Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex". |
| The referendum is being held 22 years after homosexual acts were decriminalised in Ireland. | |
| In 2010, the government enacted civil partnership legislation, which provided legal recognition for gay couples. | In 2010, the government enacted civil partnership legislation, which provided legal recognition for gay couples. |
| But there are some important differences between civil partnership and marriage, the critical one being that marriage is protected in the constitution while civil partnership is not. | But there are some important differences between civil partnership and marriage, the critical one being that marriage is protected in the constitution while civil partnership is not. |
| Presidential candidates | Presidential candidates |
| A constitutional convention established by the Irish government in 2013 considered the specifics of a proposal on extending marriage rights, as well as discussing other changes to the constitution. | A constitutional convention established by the Irish government in 2013 considered the specifics of a proposal on extending marriage rights, as well as discussing other changes to the constitution. |
| It voted in favour of holding a referendum on same-sex marriage and the date was announced by Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny earlier this year. | It voted in favour of holding a referendum on same-sex marriage and the date was announced by Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny earlier this year. |
| A separate referendum, on whether the eligibility age of presidential candidates should be lowered from 35 to 21, is being held at the same time, along with a parliamentary by-election in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency. | A separate referendum, on whether the eligibility age of presidential candidates should be lowered from 35 to 21, is being held at the same time, along with a parliamentary by-election in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency. |