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Local Elections Process

Learn how local elections work in Galway, including voter eligibility, candidate nominations, campaign rules, electoral areas, and official results from the latest election.

Local elections in Ireland take place every five years, usually in May or June. These elections give people living in Ireland the chance to vote for councillors who will represent them on local authorities such as County Councils and City Councils.

This page explains how the local election process works, including who can vote, how to become a candidate, and the rules around campaigning. It also includes specific information about the 2024 Local Elections for Galway County Council, where 39 councillors were elected across 7 Local Electoral Areas.

You’ll also find details on:

  • Voter eligibility and how to register
  • The nomination process for candidates
  • Spending and donation rules
  • Poster guidelines and safety
  • Contact information and support services
  • Election results and useful links

Whether you're a voter, a potential candidate, or just curious about how local democracy works in Ireland, this guide will help you understand the key steps and requirements.

Overview

Overview

Local elections in Ireland are held every five years, typically in May or June. These elections allow residents to elect councillors to represent them in local authorities, including County Councils, City Councils, and City and County Councils.

Voting eligibility

To vote in a local election, you must:

  • Be over 18 years of age
  • Be ordinarily resident in the local electoral area
  • Be registered to vote
  • You do not need to be an Irish citizen to vote in local elections.

Candidate nominations

To stand as a candidate in a local election, you must go through a nomination process:

  • Nomination period: Nominations take place over a one-week period, four weeks before polling day.
  • Nomination form: Candidates must complete a nomination form (LE1), available from the local authority returning officer.
  • Submission: The completed form must be returned to the returning officer, who will rule on its validity within one hour of submission.
  • Party affiliation: If affiliated with a political party, a Certificate of Party Affiliation must be submitted with the nomination form.
  • Independent candidates: Independent candidates must either:
  • Submit statutory declarations by 15 assenters registered in the local electoral area, witnessed by an authorized official, or
  • Lodge a deposit of €100 with the returning officer Galway County Council Local Elections

Legislation governing local elections

Local elections 2024

Local Elections are held every 5 years to elect 39 Members representing 7 Local Electoral Areas to Galway County Council.  In 2024, Local Elections were held on 7th June 2024.

Becoming a candidate

Nomination process

  • The Nomination Process for the Local Elections is now closed.
  • Candidates could nominate themselves or be nominated by a proposer registered as a local government elector in the relevant area.
  • Nominations were accepted from 10.00am on 11th May 2024 to 12.00 noon on 18th May 2024.
  • Nominations were received by the Returning Officer, Mr. Michael Owens.

Contact for queries

Eligibility for election

  • Every Irish citizen and person ordinarily resident in the State, aged 18 or over, is eligible unless disqualified.
  • Disqualifications include being a member of the European Community Commission, European Parliament, judiciary, Garda Síochána, Defence Forces, certain civil servants, or undergoing a prison sentence over 6 months.

Candidate nomination process

Political party and non-party candidates

  • Candidates could include their political party name, certificate of political affiliation template can be downloaded  or if not registered to a political party enter “Non-Party” on the nomination paper.

  • Non-party candidates needed 15 assentors or a €100 deposit.

Expenditure and donations

Spending limits

  • Limits depend on the population of the local electoral area:
    • Over 35,000: €15,350
    • 18,001 to 35,000: €13,600
    • 18,000 or less: €11,500
  • Party candidates allocate 10% of their limit to the party’s national agent.

Reporting expenses

  • All election expenses must be reported within 90 days after polling day (by 5th September 2024).

Donation rules

  • Maximum donation: €1,000
  • Anonymous donation limit: €100
  • Donations over €600 must be disclosed.
  • Certain donations are restricted, including anonymous donations over €100 and cash donations over €200.

Local electoral areas

Local electoral areas and members

Local electoral area Number of members
Athenry-Oranmore 7
Ballinasloe 6
Conamara North 4
Conamara South 5
Gort-Kinvara 5
Loughrea 5
Tuam 7
Total 39

 

Map of electoral divisions

  • Click to go to the map for Elections detailing the electoral divisions. Click on ‘layers’ to select Local Electors Areas and District Electoral Divisions.

Local elections results 2024 for Galway County Council

This page provides official results from the local elections 2024. You’ll find:

  • Local electoral area results – showing how many votes each candidate received, who was elected, and how the count progressed.
  • Local electoral division results – breaking down votes by polling station or division, including turnout and first preference votes.

These documents are published in line with national election regulations and offer a clear picture of how votes were cast and counted across the county.

Election poster guidelines

Poster placement

  • Posters can be erected 30 days before polling day.
  • Posters must be removed within 7 days after the poll.

Safety concerns

  • Posters should not obscure traffic signals or signs.
  • Posters must be at least 2.3 metres above footpaths.
  • Posters should not be on lamp standards with overhead lines, traffic signal poles, bridge parapets, or roadside barriers.
  • Posters must include the name and address of the printer.