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| Same-sex referendum: High turnout reported as polls close in Republic of Ireland | Same-sex referendum: High turnout reported as polls close in Republic of Ireland |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The polls have closed in the Republic of Ireland, where voters have been taking part in a referendum on whether to legalise same-sex marriage. | The polls have closed in the Republic of Ireland, where voters have been taking part in a referendum on whether to legalise same-sex marriage. |
| More than 3.2m people were asked whether they wanted to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. | More than 3.2m people were asked whether they wanted to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. |
| Polling stations closed at 22:00 BST and counting is due to start on Saturday morning. | Polling stations closed at 22:00 BST and counting is due to start on Saturday morning. |
| They reported an "unusually high" turnout on Friday. | They reported an "unusually high" turnout on Friday. |
| Irish state broadcaster RTÉ said the turnout in most areas was well ahead of what it had been in recent referendums. | Irish state broadcaster RTÉ said the turnout in most areas was well ahead of what it had been in recent referendums. |
| Dublin, Limerick and Waterford passed the 60% electorate turnout mark, while in Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Donegal, Tipperary, Kerry and Galway it was above 50%. | Dublin, Limerick and Waterford passed the 60% electorate turnout mark, while in Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Donegal, Tipperary, Kerry and Galway it was above 50%. |
| Prior to Friday, votes had already been cast in some islands as well as hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. Irish citizens who are registered are allowed to vote, with a limited amount of postal voting. Many people returned to Ireland to cast their votes. | |
| They were 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 were 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 was being held 22 years after homosexual acts were decriminalised in Ireland. | The referendum was being held 22 years after homosexual acts were decriminalised in Ireland. |
| If the change is approved, Ireland would become the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. | If the change is approved, Ireland would become the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. |
| In 2010, the Irish government enacted civil partnership legislation, which provided legal recognition for gay couples. | In 2010, the Irish 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. |
| Same-sex marriage is currently legal in 19 countries worldwide. | Same-sex marriage is currently legal in 19 countries worldwide. |