To think the Irish Abortion Referendum outcome will be a close call?

[Jellyfish456]

Polling day is within touching distance and from what I’ve seen on my social media channels, the vast majority seem to be swaying towards voting to Repeal. Do we think this is a true reflection of the majority or are the No side just less likely to be vocal on their social media channels? Whatever the outcome, I think it will be close.

What are everyone else’s thoughts?

Much like Scottish referendum,got so cantankerous folk were circumspect about voting intention

"She'll be a woman one day, choose life for her, vote no" - anyone else getting this ad on Mumsnet now?

It will definitely be close.
Most people I know are voting yes, but I know of one no and one undecided.
There are a lot more no signs up around here (in the west) but there was a beep for repeal outside work today and it was pretty lively. I got a badge off them too and since I put it on I had quite a few older women coming up to me telling me how proud they were of me for wearing it which gave me more hope! People seemed to be avoiding the no campaigners like the plague, crossing to the other side of the road!
All I see on my social media is yes, but we do tend to follow people/pages with similar views to ourselves.
What's really worrying me is the comments I've been reading where people think "I wouldn't have one, so I'm going to vote no". It's not mandatory ffs I think a lot of the undecideds could swing no. I think calling it an "abortion referendum" etc isn't helping because it is so much more than that.

If my DH wasn't voting yes that would be a deal breaker for me. Luckily he didn't need any persuading.

I can't wait for it to be over and really hope it's a yes. If not I will definitely be canvassing next time around!

Really, really don't want to sound personal, or getting at an individual, but can't imagine what these 'feminist DH's voting no' are thinking. Can anyone give their point of view?

https://www.asn.org.uk

When will results be known?

So good to see so many famous faces supporting a Yes vote

I believe results should be announced around 11:30pm. The late late will be announcing the exit poll results which should be fairly accurate I think, or at least give us an idea.

I just watched Saoirse Long’s video about her abortion and she mentioned the protesters outside- you can bet if the yes vote prevails that’ll be the next move for pro-lifers.

I’ll def watch with interest

What will happen if it is no? Will there be another attempt at repeal in a few years?

Terramirabilis it’ll take more than a few years unfortch

There wouldn't be another vote until Fine Gael (or at least Leo) are out of office, but there is pressure from the EU so they wouldn't be able to leave it too long either..

The official count doesn't begin until 9am sat morning. The tally people should have a very good idea by lunch time. People can lie in exit poles, ballot papers don't

user1471549213 Saturday 11:30pm for official results is what I'd heard, do you know if that is correct?

For anyone in London who isn’t able to vote, there’s a London Irish ARC event happening at The Tiger pub in Homerton on Saturday where we’ll gather to watch the result and celebrate/commiserate together.

My DH remains to be convinced

Has he seen the 'in her shoes' posts?

Someone shared their story on twitter yesterday, it was harrowing.

Expecting twins and at 20 weeks her waters broke.

Went for ultrasound and she was admitted and told the pregnancy would terminate soon.

She had a little girl at home.

She spent 6 days in hospital having a daily scan but as the babies still had a heart beat she couldn't be given anything to speed things up.

She was at serious risk of infection so was put on antibiotics. After 6 days her little girl made an appearance and was obviously still born.

But the placenta did not pass, if it didn't pass the mother would become ill, very ill, but as her life was not in imminent danger and there was still a heart beat in the baby they couldn't do anything. The stopped the antibiotics so they could see symptoms of septicemia.

After another 6 days of nothing passing she developed septicemia.

At that point the doctors could give her something to induce a birth although they would not try any medical intervention if the baby was born alive.

She was rushed to ICU. She had held her little girl and said goodbye, she didn't have the chance to do that with her son.

In most other countries it would be a tragic event but would take hours and the parents could grieve and hold their stillborn children.

The parents would be home with their existing daughter.

Mum's health would have been a priority.

I think my DH who has a son from a previous 'relationship' and is ashamed he wanted him aborted needs to be educated. He promised to watch the debates last night before he makes up his mind. I think he will vote yes.

He agrees with the health grounds bit but not the unrestricted before 12 weeks bit which may come into effect if the 8th is repealed.

And yes I am fully aware of the implications and about mothers travelling with coffins on boats if they are lucky to make it back alive in the first place and have been speaking to DH about it.

Im voting yes.But has surprised me is the amount of young woman i know will be voting no.

It wont affect me but they are still in the ages where falling pregnant is possible.I just hope enough people see the bigger picture.And realise women have the right to choose.

Thinking of all of you voting yes. Had a family member whose life was ruined by a back street abortion. This is such an important decision in rights for women.

Best of luck and well done for all those going back to vote yes.

I am up early to leave now and vote on the way to work. It is a yes from me. Dh is a no so at least I cancel his vote. It is going to be close call I think.

I hope so much that it will be yes, but I fear it could be a no. Common sense has not prevailed in politics lately and misogyny is still socially acceptable, unlike homophobia which got the marriage equality vote through.

Good luck today everybody. I'm Irish but living in London so can't vote. I hope it's a yes but honestly feel no will win unfortunately.

I’m afraid Ireland like keeping women down so it will probably be a no vote win.

Good luck today everyone. I'm not Irish but hoping for the right outcome!

I don't have a vote anymore: called my parents yesterday to plead with them to vote yes. Like most Irish families, it is not something we regularly discuss. Was very surprised and relived to hear they were going to vote Yes, although my mum said she was very conflicted, and she thinks there will be a lot of people in the polling booths like her, unable to make up their mind till the very last minute. She also says the amount of detail about the mechanics of abortion they have had to put up with is extremely upsetting. I just hope they can hold fast.

They are not pro choice at all, are are totally against abortion on demand but recognize that the 8th doesn't work. As a PP said, they don't really trust the politicians not to introduce a very liberal abortion law if the constitution is held back and they don't want to feel they are "pro" abortion. My Dad voted against the right to even get information in 1992 so he's come a long way even contemplating a yes, never mind saying he's going to do it

I was on an anti-SPUC march in 1993, about their suing of Trinity's Student Union for distributing information. There were a small gaggle of us at the Garden of Remembrance, maybe 50 of us, delighted to see cameras from Sky but half terrified in case a relation might see us on TV. I was at home a few years ago and again went to the Garden of Remembrance to march for Repeal. It was amazing to see thousands marching proudly.

I'm so proud of the Yes campaign, it's been really emotional and (from a distance) I don't see how they could have done better. Watching all those young students home to vote, but also watching the likes of Ivana Bacik, Mary Banotti, Gemma Hussey who have been fighting for Irish women for years. And I have a special place in my heart for Nell McCafferty, another one of the great Irish feminists who opened so many eyes. After years of living abroad, I still stand in awe of Irish mnà. Please, please let this be the day when the constitution gets rid of this terrible, terrible amendment. It's going to be a long road to get fair legislation past and those horrible posters will be paraded in from of hospitals for a long time to come, but it's a great start.

Will be on tender-hooks now till the results come out....will be interesting to see if there are big discrepancies between the exit polls and the final result. There might be a lot of people who won't even want to admit to themselves the mark they made in the ballot box.