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Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Ballots being counted at the RDS in Dublin today.Emma Hickey/The Journal spoiled votes Spoiled votes emerge from boxes in large numbers, with many referencing alternative candidates A campaign to spoil votes had gathered traction online, but it was unclear as to how that would translate on polling day. 12.39pm, 25 Oct 2025 Share options Emma Hickey reports from the RDS AS COUNTING RAMPS up and tallies are completed, the talking point is Catherine Connolly’s impending win – and the sheer number of spoiled votes. With only two willing candidates on the ballot (and the ghost of Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin), turnout has been low, as expected. Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys has been performing badly almost all across the board tallies show. In some local areas, the number of first preferences for her are lower than the number of invalid ballots. A campaign for people to spoil their votes, championed by businessman Declan Ganley, emerged from the wreckage of an unsuccessful council route explored by hopefuls in September. People who advocated for spoiled votes expressed unhappiness with the Fine Gael diktat barring its councillors from nominating an alternative presidential candidate, as well as disappointment with the Oireachtas route that left hopeful Maria Steen two nominations shy of the 20 required to make it onto the ballot. While it gathered traction online it was unclear as to how that would translate on polling day. In some electoral areas in Dublin city, at least, it gained enough traction to surpass votes for Heather Humphreys. Dublin North West and Dublin Central were the areas spoilt votes featured most heavily, particularly in boxes from Ballymun and Finglas. Some ballots were spoiled with an X across the paper, while others bore messages like “Doesn’t represent me” and “Spoiled vote”. Others referenced the alleged sexual assault of a young girl in Citywest earlier this week. A spoiled vote with an encouraging message for count staff.Emma Hickey / The Journal Emma Hickey / The Journal / The Journal Few had alternative candidates written in: Nick Delehanty, who missed on out a nomination after trying the council route; Maria Steen; Conor McGregor. One voter had glued a photo of their dog Honey to the bottom of the ballot, marked No 1. Another had written “Thanks for efforts counting!!” at the bottom of theirs. Advertisement Tally people marking down first preferences also took note of spoiled votes, and many were shocked at the number. One tally person at Dublin North West showed The Journal his tally sheet as he completed one box from Ballymun. Connolly received 120 votes. Humphreys 7. Gavin 4. And spoiled votes were at 128. “I’ve never seen it like this,” he said. Count staff expressed similar sentiments. Late-stage tallies showed spoiled votes overtake Humphreys and Gavin in Dublin North West. Earlier on in the day another tally woman at Dublin Bay North had resorted to filling in the margins with Connolly’s votes spilling over. Connolly had 197 votes from that box, Humphreys 90, Gavin 38. Spoiled votes totalled 29. Despite the number being much lower than other boxes and areas, she said: “The level of spoiled votes – I’ve never seen anything like it. People writing all over [the ballot] and the level of vitriol coming off it. “I’ve tallied four elections now and this is different to anything I’ve seen before.” Meanwhile, also speaking to RTÉ, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said: “One of the headline issues of today’s election is those who have spoiled their votes or voted for Jim Gavin. It’s two fingers to the political establishment.” Tóibín was Steen’s main backer and has been vocal in his belief that Steen was “blocked” from contesting the election. “So many individuals have actually taken their time to launch the protest to the political system today. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, Simon Harris and Micheál Martin, no doubt, will be wringing their hands over the next while, but they engineered this,” he said. “They are directly responsible for this high level of spoiled votes and for the number of people who did not vote because they excluded individuals entirely unfairly.” Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Support The Journal Emma Hickey Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Spoiled votes emerge from boxes in large numbers, with many referencing alternative candidates”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Spoiled votes emerge from boxes in large numbers, with many referencing alternative candidates”. 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Catherine Connolly Heather Humphreys maria steen Nick Delehanty spoiled votes News in 60 seconds Connolly on course for resounding win over Humphreys in election Marek Puska Investigation launched as brother of Jozef Puska attacked in Mountjoy Prison overnight Trump talks Trump heads to Asia for talks with China's Xi Jinping and also eyes meeting with Kim Jong Un 41 mins ago One Direction Early tallies point to comprehensive Connolly win and sharp increase in spoiled ballots Broken glass held to head of baby in back seat of stolen car in Belfast Man arrested over alleged assault on two people canvassing with Mary Lou McDonald yesterday on course for victory 'I will do my utmost to represent everyone': Connolly hopes to be symbol of new movement As it happened Áras election turnout quite low as polls near close Dublin city centre Gardaí called as Mary Lou McDonald and canvassers threatened on Dublin street Connolly on course for resounding win over Humphreys in election The Morning Lead Ireland's next president: The votes have been cast, but when will we know the offical result? more from us Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. 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