The government of Ireland held referendums on 22 May 2015 on two proposed amendments to the Constitution of Ireland which had been recommended by the Constitutional Convention. [1] The amendment to permit same-sex marriage in the Republic of Ireland was approved by 62%-38% of the voters. [2] The other amendment would have reduced the age of candidacy for the President of Ireland from 35 to 21, but voters rejected it by 73%-27%. A Dáil by-election in Carlow–Kilkenny was held on the same day. [2] Other amendments were considered but not proceeded with, including reducing the voting age from 18 to 16, and sanctioning the establishment of a Unified Patent Court. [3] [4]
Voters were asked whether to add to the Constitution that "marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex". [5] The proposal was supported by the Government as well as all major political parties, [6] [7] [8] and was approved by 62.07% of voters. [9]
Voters rejected a proposal to reduce the age of eligibility to run for president from 35 to 21 by a 73% to 27% margin. [10]