Voter turnout continues to pick up

 

 

Turnout across Co Cavan has picked up significantly since early morning, with tallies indicating that voting figures could be at least on par with 2014.

There are expected to be big political battles in small parishes tomorrow, with in some cases two candidates and even three contesting the same area.

The local election is seen by many as having contributed to a higher turnout, compared to if the European election or Divorce Referendum were being held isolation. Parties are hoping for a much better showing than was in the last elections, the Presidential race, when percentage voter turnout was in the low 40’s.

In many places across the county that is expected to happen, with much higher turnouts this evening across the Cavan compared to earlier in the day.

In Cavan-Belturbet, which includes the county town and stretches west, the average turnout is at around 30 per cent heading into the end of the evening.

In Cavan Town, there are a total of 10 booths in St Clare's National School, with strong numbers still turning out.

In the village of Butlersbridge, turnout was short of 30 per cent overall as of 7pm, while in Belturbet, the figure is above 30 per cent on a average across four boxes, with the busiest being for the town ballot box itself.

In Swanlinbar, turnout is above 30 per cent; in Corlough and Bawnboy, again rural areas in west Cavan, turnout is again closer to 30 per cent, while the highest at time of checking for the local area was in Glangevlin Hall, where more than 47 per cent of locals had cast their ballot. In Dowra, the figure is around 30 per cent.

Midday turnout in areas such as Killinagh was at 33 per cent, and 28 per cent in Barran, both Blacklion.

Turnout is reported at around 41 per cent in Curran, in the parish of Templeport, outside Ballyconnell, and in Ballyconnell itself, boxes are averaging at about 40 per cent plus.

To the south east of the county, the Ballyjamesduff electoral area, a rural area yet considered within the commuter belt to Dublin, in parish of Cross turnout is around 30 per cent; in Mullagh 42 per cent; Knocktemple 25 per cent; and in Carrigabruise 23 per cent but climbing.

Virginia town was at around 37-38 per cent coming into the final three hours of voting; with Castlerahan at 25 per cent; and Ballyjamesduff above 30 per cent, with time still to go until polls close at 10pm.

In the Bailieborough-Cootehill area turnout in and around Cootehill is said to be “steady”.

At Kill school, turnout in both booths are heading well above 20 per cent, and in Cootehill Town, closer to 30 per cent. Earlier in the day, those numbers were 11 and 13 per cent respectively in Kill, and between 13-14 per cent in Cootehill, with turnout very much expected to build as the evening progresses.

Elsewhere, voting has remained consistent throughout the day, with 47 per cent edging towards 48 per cent in Kingscourt, Corlea at 40 per cent, and 43 per cent in Muff; with Bailieborough said to be “picking up” with voter turnout now at around 38 per cent turnout.

The turnout figure for both West and East Knockbride is reportedly in the mid-40’s.

Polls close at 10pm tonight.

Keep up to date with our election blog throughout the weekend:

https://www.anglocelt.ie/elections/roundup/articles/2019/05/24/4174595-live-election-blog-2019/