Catherine Connolly Elected 10th President of Ireland Amidst Low Turnout and Record Spoiled Ballots

Connolly Secures Presidency in Landslide Victory

Catherine Connolly has been elected as the 10th President of Ireland, following a decisive victory in the presidential election held on Friday, October 24, 2025. The independent candidate, who garnered significant backing from left-wing parties, secured 63.36% of the first-preference votes. Her main opponent, Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael, received 29.46% of the vote. A third candidate, Jim Gavin of Fianna Fáil, who had withdrawn from the race on October 5 but remained on the ballot, accounted for 7.18% of the votes. Connolly's win marks her as the third woman to hold the largely ceremonial but influential office, succeeding Michael D. Higgins, who served two terms and was ineligible for re-election. She is scheduled to be inaugurated on November 11, 2025.

Prior to her presidential bid, Connolly served as a clinical psychologist and barrister. She was also the Deputy Speaker (Leas-Cheann Comhairle) of Dáil Éireann from 2020 to 2024, becoming the first woman to hold that position.

Concerns Over Low Voter Engagement

The election was notably characterized by a relatively low voter turnout. Official figures indicate that 45.83% of eligible voters cast their ballots, a slight increase of 1.96 percentage points compared to the 2018 presidential election. Political analysts have suggested that this low engagement could be attributed to the limited number of active candidates in the race, with only two contenders actively campaigning after Jim Gavin's withdrawal.

Record Number of Spoiled Ballots Highlight Voter Frustration

Adding to the concerns about voter engagement was an unprecedented number of spoiled or invalid ballots. A total of 213,738 votes were deemed spoiled, representing 12.89% of the total votes cast. This figure marks a significant increase from the 1.2% recorded in the 2018 election and is considered a record in Irish electoral history.

Reasons cited for the high number of spoiled ballots include:

• Widespread voter frustration over the perceived lack of choice among candidates.
• A planned protest by supporters of a conservative campaigner who failed to secure the necessary nominations to appear on the ballot.
• Reports of ballot papers containing written messages expressing discontent on various issues, including immigration and crime.

The high incidence of spoiled ballots has prompted calls for reflection among political parties regarding the nomination process and broader voter sentiment.

A New Chapter for the Irish Presidency

As Catherine Connolly prepares to assume office, her presidency is anticipated to bring a new dynamic to the role. Her campaign, which resonated particularly with younger voters, emphasized social justice and a strong pro-Palestine stance. Her victory, achieved with a substantial mandate, signals a shift in the political landscape and sets the stage for her seven-year term as Ireland's head of state.