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?

So people can't vote on their constitution?

But I'm in support of the vote and do hope it goes to yes.

Have already voted yes. In all my years I've never seen the polling station as busy. We always have a high turnout but I went today at a traditionally very quiet time and had to queue to park and get in etc. crossing everything!

I feel sad for all the women on here whose DHs are voting No. I honestly don't think I could stay married to a No voter

Me neither. I wonder if they'd feel the same if their wife were raped and they had to bring up a cuckoo in the nest?

I’m predicting a no. If I was an Irish voter I would have voted Yes with a very heavy heart.

I wonder if they'd feel the same if their wife were raped and they had to bring up a cuckoo in the nest?

It's funny, I asked a man this very question yesterday when he blew up my facebook thread with his pro-life mansplaining.

His reply?

"Adoption would be the only option in that scenario."

They honestly just don't give a shit about women. Walking wombs.

As it's in the constitution, of course men should have an equal vote.
A woman's rights issue should never have been put in the constitution, but here we are.
They only stats I've seen on it show more men in favour of repeal than women. This has also been reflected in the no canvassers I've seen (all women) and the yes canvassers I've seen (a mix of women and men).

"Adoption would be the only option in that scenario."

What a vile man.

It's not a popular opinion but, I personally don't believe men should be able to vote on abortion.
The majority of men don't have a strong opinion on abortion, a lot of these men won't vote because they aren't fussed about the outcome. The men that do vote however, will be the ones that say shit like the above. Obviously there will be some men that will vote yes, but they will be in the minority.

The men that do vote however, will be the ones that say shit like the above. Obviously there will be some men that will vote yes, but they will be in the minority

So true.

If there was a referendum on whether blonde people should be allowed to dye their hair, I wouldn't think it was right if brunettes were invited to take part in that vote.

Same applies here, imo.

I just have a feeling that if a 'no' vote is returned, it will be because men say so. As it always has been.

Hoping and praying here in scotland that our irish sisters get the result that they should of had all along and get bodily autonomy

One of DPs extended family has gone over to vote No, but what I cannot get my head around is the reason she lives in London is she came for an abortion and never left. DPs sister was so angry she’s gone back home to vote Yes to cancel her cousins vote.

It’s the old versus the young. My elderly, generally quite liberal parents are voting to keep the 8th. I’m disappointed in them.

Hopefully the young will actually bloody vote. They could have saved the world from Trump and Brexit.

I'm nervous about the result, but I do believe it's fundamentally wrong to restrict votes based on sex - or any other protected characteristic.

Boulshired that's so crazy. I'm in Scotland but watching and hoping.

I thought this would be top of the news app on my phone - but it's not.

If it's close but still a yes I'll still be heartbroken about the world we live in.

What time will the rest be known? Dont think I'll be able to sleep tonight

Turn out is very high. I hope that's a good thing.

Turnout seems to be pretty high in all areas so far and I'd imagine things will get very busy after the working day finishes.

Have just seen the no side have sent out an email to their supporters to get out and vote. So they must be starting to get a bit worried..

@hownowpowpow

That’s funny. Thinking that the average elderly “no” voter knows how to use their email. They’d be better off including a reminder with the meals on wheels.

We can only hope that the tragic, needless death of Savita will linger in the minds of the voters and it make a difference today, and the yes vote will prevail, but it could be a close thing, due to the older citizens.

Voted YES on my lunch break, I'm in Leopardstown which is a middle class type of area in Dublin, and the polls suggest more likely to vote yes. Voting station was not too busy, but a steady flow of people going in and out.

It's really one that could turn on a dime/vote. So I hope I made a difference today.

I'm not at all sure that the majority of older citizens are no voters.

"Adoption would be the only option in that scenario

married couples cannot legally give a child for adoption in Ireland. Even if they abandon it, child can't be adopted, only fostered.

I do believe it's fundamentally wrong to restrict votes based on sex - or any other protected characteristic.

The problem is, a lot of the men voting "no" are doing it to put women back in their box. They care about control, not abortions. It's certain men wanting power over women.