This Friday, more than 3.6 million Irish citizens are registered to vote in the presidential election — but what actually happens when you walk into that polling station? In this bonus podcast, Shane Beatty sits down with Art O’Leary, chief executive of the Electoral Commission, to take you step-by-step through the process: from registering (or discovering you’ve missed the deadline), to bringing the right ID, understanding how to mark the ballot correctly, and following your vote all the way to the count in Dublin Castle.

We clear up some common myths and explain how the Counting Officer and Returning Officers manage the ballots in the unusual single-seat presidential version of PR-STV.

Why do we use pencils? Are selfies allowed inside the polling booths? And what happens if you accidentally drop your wedding ring inside a ballot box? Art has all the answers!

Whether you’ve voted before or it’s your first time — this episode is your practical voting checklist and behind-the-scenes guide.

📌 Check your registration now: checktheregister.ie

 📌 Read full voting guidance: electoralcommission.ie/presidential-elections/