Up coming Donegal election

echo beach

If you have been getting addressed election literature then your name is on the register and you can vote with or without a polling card. If you haven't then you aren't registered you have left it too late to do anything about it.
The polling card is not ID but if you get one try to bring it along as it makes easier for polling staff to find you on the register and keeps the queue moving. You should also bring some form of ID, it says on the card what is acceptable, although in rural areas or if you have been voting at the same booth for some time they will probably recognise you and not ask for it.

byte

I guess canvassars must call to my house during the day when I'm at work. Though the doorbell did ring yesterday when I was upstairs, and a Jackson flyer was left in the letterbox.

Maybe there'll be more activity during this week in the final run-up...

Billydoc

At the minute this is my vote
(1) McHugh
(2) Pringle
(3) Shields
(4) Harte
(5) Kennedy

opiniated

byte wrote: »

I guess canvassars must call to my house during the day when I'm at work. Though the doorbell did ring yesterday when I was upstairs, and a Jackson flyer was left in the letterbox.

Maybe there'll be more activity during this week in the final run-up...

There has been someone in my house, at all times, for the last three weeks. A total of 3 lots of canvassers have called.

(I think they're in hiding!:D:D)

Banjoxed

opiniated wrote: »

There has been someone in my house, at all times, for the last three weeks. A total of 3 lots of canvassers have called.

(I think they're in hiding!:D:D)

This has been a much more low key election on this side of Inishowen than the locals/Euros in 2014. Curious.

opiniated

Our polling cards finally arrived today.
The postman was also about two hours late, so there must be a lot of polling cards in todays mail.

mgkelly

opiniated wrote: »

Our polling cards finally arrived today.
The postman was also about two hours late, so there must be a lot of polling cards in todays mail.

My polling card arrived yesterday, too. Agree about distinct lack of callers to door, but that's no loss, in my view! Find it hard to take any of them seriously! Tempted to vote Green (there is a candidate, isn't there?). My wife & kids always scoff when I've done it before!
Being a bit idealist, of course!
Detest 'parish pump' politics.

muffler

mgkelly wrote: »

Tempted to vote Green (there is a candidate, isn't there?)

Yup, the greens have one candidate, Paula Flanagan. Who she is or why anyone would vote for her is beyond me....thats just a personal opinion.

mgkelly wrote: »

My wife & kids always scoff when I've done it before!

Smart wife and kids you have


A full list of the runners and riders can be seen here in the Irish Times together with some observations by their journalist

yourpics

Billydoc wrote: »

At the minute this is my vote
(1) McHugh
(2) Pringle
(3) Shields
(4) Harte
(5) Kennedy

McHugh - no vote (FG)
Harte - no vote (FG)
Kennedy - no vote (supported a motion for due process on John O'Donnell)

Banjoxed

1. Harte
2. McHugh
3. McGarvey
4. Kennedy and I'll stop there. No FG/FF coalition for me.

If Labour and the SocDems had ran candidates it would be different, and FF should be left nowhere near power for another two terms at least, if not for good.

alchemist33

It's been quiet at my house too. I had McConalogue canvassers last week and Joe McHugh himself came to the door last night. My 7-year-old didn't fancy it, though. He ran to the door when the bell rang, shouting through the letterbox, "What do you want, random person?"

opiniated

alchemist33 wrote: »

It's been quiet at my house too. I had McConalogue canvassers last week and Joe McHugh himself came to the door last night. My 7-year-old didn't fancy it, though. He ran to the door when the bell rang, shouting through the letterbox, "What do you want, random person?"

I like his attitude!:P:D:D

cosanostra

Billydoc wrote: »

At the minute this is my vote
(1) McHugh
(2) Pringle
(3) Shields
(4) Harte
(5) Kennedy

Thats a fairly strange selection McHugh no1 then pringle 2, they are on completely opposite ends of the political spectrum

Billydoc

cosanostra wrote: »

Thats a fairly strange selection McHugh no1 then pringle 2, they are on completely opposite ends of the political spectrum

Strange? Strange is voting for the SF and FF.

cosanostra

Billydoc wrote: »

Strange? Strange is voting for the SF and FF.

On one hand you're voting for someone that supports water charges and austerity on the other you're voting for someone that is completely against that.

On a seperate point why would you vote Pringle but rule out SF so strongly?

Billydoc

cosanostra wrote: »

On one hand you're voting for someone that supports water charges and austerity on the other you're voting for someone that is completely against that.

On a seperate point why would you vote Pringle but rule out SF so strongly?

I ain't voting particular candidates on what they think of water charges. Thomas was in SF. I believe he's inpendent now. He would be one of the closest candidates to me. No Fine Gael candidate in South Donegal.

opiniated

Billydoc wrote: »

I ain't voting particular candidates on what they think of water charges. Thomas was in SF. I believe he's inpendent now. He would be one of the closest candidates to me. No Fine Gael candidate in South Donegal.

Geographically, or by traditional Constituency?

muffler

If anyone is interested there's a voter quiz here which will show you (after answering quite a few questions) which candidates you are best aligned to or the candidates who share your views.

I just completed it and apparently Pringle and myself have a 51% agreement rate on various issues :eek:

opiniated

muffler wrote: »

If anyone is interested there's a voter quiz here which will show you (after answering quite a few questions) which candidates you are best aligned to or the candidates who share your views.

I just completed it and apparently Pringle and myself have a 51% agreement rate on various issues :eek:

Apparently, I have a 43% agreement with SF, 41% with Pat the Cope (I can't stand the man!), 39% with Joe McHugh, and 36% with Tim Jackson.

I'm voting for Tim Jackson, followed by a selection of other Independents! Pat the Cope will get the second last preference on the list (14?), directly above Joe McHugh!
Which takes care of the accuracy of that quiz, imo.

cosanostra

muffler wrote: »

If anyone is interested there's a voter quiz here which will show you (after answering quite a few questions) which candidates you are best aligned to or the candidates who share your views.

I just completed it and apparently Pringle and myself have a 51% agreement rate on various issues :eek:

Most of the candidates haven't answered so makes it a bit of a waste of time

muffler

cosanostra wrote: »

Most of the candidates haven't answered so makes it a bit of a waste of time

Aye, I should have said that its more of a fun thing, at least as far as Donegal is concerned.

Politics aside and way off topic (slaps wrist) you could try the Boards Matchmaker which really is funny when you see the end results

jackireland

I hope one of the independents get in, going by the polls, its either pringle or shiels

yourpics

I will vote Pringle, McBrearty, Pearse Doherty, Gary Doherty, Padraig, Cordelia Nic Fhearraigh

Banjoxed

yourpics wrote: »

I will vote Pringle, McBrearty, Pearse Doherty, Gary Doherty, Padraig, Cordelia Nic Fhearraigh

I havent seen anything at all about Cordelia Nic Fhearraigh. No poster, no flyer, nothing. In fairness I am going to google her now.

As as aside, were there any Litir um Thoghains at all, this campaign?

mgkelly

Banjoxed wrote: »

I havent seen anything at all about Cordelia Nic Fhearraigh. No poster, no flyer, nothing. In fairness I am going to google her now.

As as aside, were there any Litir um Thoghains at all, this campaign?

She's a candidate for Fis Nua - a bit of a hippy sounding party with 2 candidates across the country. Looked this up a while back on the RTE website.
Might put her in top few on my vote.

Did that smartvote.ie thing. Not surprisingly, came out as Green Party candidate!

NIMAN

Did that quiz and Pringle comes out top with me too.

Does anyone know if all the candidates actually took part in this, cos if they have, that Shields guy selected NEUTRAL for every single answer.

opiniated

NIMAN wrote: »

Did that quiz and Pringle comes out top with me too.

Does anyone know if all the candidates actually took part in this, cos if they have, that Shields guy selected NEUTRAL for every single answer.

Several candidates didn't answer the questions.

Firblog

Have to say that I'm really struggling with this election, who to vote for

FF - Made the mess, shouldn't be let near power ever again
FG - Don't think they kept one promise made before last election
SF - The day after they tell the truth about where all the bodies are buried I may consider voting for them.
TP - Good guy, but a lot of his views wouldn't be close to mine
FMB - Spoofer
DS - Haven't a clue what he stands for
PF - Green Party - Don't get me started.
TJ - Really a one issue candidate, other stuff about pay etc just to get elected, that stuff won't change.
NK - Anti Windmills is all I really know shes for/against.

I know i'm missing a couple but if I don't know their names, I deffo haven't a clue of their policies.

opiniated

Firblog wrote: »

Have to say that I'm really struggling with this election, who to vote for

FF - Made the mess, shouldn't be let near power ever again
FG - Don't think they kept one promise made before last election
SF - The day after they tell the truth about where all the bodies are buried I may consider voting for them.
TP - Good guy, but a lot of his views wouldn't be close to mine
FMB - Spoofer
DS - Haven't a clue what he stands for
PF - Green Party - Don't get me started.
TJ - Really a one issue candidate, other stuff about pay etc just to get elected, that stuff won't change.
NK - Anti Windmills is all I really know shes for/against.

I know i'm missing a couple but if I don't know their names, I deffo haven't a clue of their policies.

Same here! Of the leaflets I have read, though, (probably 6-7), it seems to be the usual farming, fishing, infrastructure, tourism.

Muffler posted a good link earlier about the candidates and their policies. Not all of them filled it in, though!
It might be helpful.

yourpics

Banjoxed wrote: »

I havent seen anything at all about Cordelia Nic Fhearraigh. No poster, no flyer, nothing. In fairness I am going to google her now.

As as aside, were there any Litir um Thoghains at all, this campaign?

She is running her campaign completely 'as gaeilge'. From what I have read I would say she is definetly worth a preference of some sort.

I received Litir um Thoghains from Pringle, Niamh Kennedy, Frank McB, Sinn Fein and FF.

NIMAN

yourpics wrote: »

She is running her campaign completely 'as gaeilge'. From what I have read I would say she is definetly worth a preference of some sort.

I received Litir um Thoghains from Pringle, Niamh Kennedy, Frank McB, Sinn Fein and FF.

She's wasting her time so, considering the vast majority of voters won't be able to understand a word she's saying.

NIMAN

opiniated wrote: »

Several candidates didn't answer the questions.

Were they all offered the chance though?
If they were, and some didn't bother their hoop taking the time to do it, then they'd be off my list of potential candidates.

Shows a disrespect for the voters.

echo beach

NIMAN wrote: »

She's wasting her time so, considering the vast majority of voters won't be able to understand a word she's saying.

I can read Irish and thought it was a novel idea but after a few paragraphs I gave up. Sometimes it's an advantage if people can't understand you.

NIMAN

Is she conducting interviews in Irish too?
Haven't heard her on local radio at all this last 3 weeks, must have missed her.

Billydoc

Paddypower has P. Doherty, P. McLoughlin, Pat the Cope and Charlie mc Conlogue hot favourites to win seats. Joe mc Hugh and Pringles fighting for the last.

K-9

Green, Shiels, Pearse Doherty, McConologue.

More strategic voting than personal preference. Green because none of the other small parties including Labour put up a candidate leaving poor choices, at least the Greens put in a candidate, and also they aren't populist.

Shiels is strong on higher public standards and accountability.

Pearse though I suspect he'll be elected by the time Shiels votes are transferred. McConologue is more an anti-the Cope vote.

The tallies will tell all as with the new constituency I can't call it. Will geography be more important than party allegiance? I suspect it will so Pearse, McConologue, MacLochlain (transfers from G. Doherty), McHugh (transfers from Harte) and I reckon Pat the Cope will just scrape the last seat ahead of Pringle and Shiels due to geography, personal vote and some FF transfers. I suspect running 3 SF candidates might adversely affect Pringle though I assume he'll pick up a fair few Kennedy transfers.

retalivity

Any early exit polls? Didnt get home to vote myself, stuck in dublin. Hopefully pringle squeezes in without my vote.

did that smartvote and some lad i never heard of came top - Mooney??

muffler

Only national exit polls that I can see. The following is up on the Highland Radio web site

RTE poll puts the coalition parties on a total of 31.9%, while the earlier poll published by the Irish Times last night had them on just under 34%.

K-9

RTE has tallies from Inishowen and Milford areas, the old Donegal N.E. constituency. McConologue 40%, MacLochlain 19%, McHugh 13% IIRC.

Pearse 8% which is good considering the area.

FG might not be guaranteed a seat based on this as Pearse, Pringle and The Cope should do better in the old SW area.

glenkeo

Looks like Pearse took 8% off Mac Lochlain in inishowen

K-9

Seems poor vote management all right, especially compared to FF. I assume he'll get transfers from Pearse so he should be ok.

glenkeo

All depends how far over quota Pearse is but wonder why they did not go there in the first place, is % will only get smaller has the count moves away from the Letterkenny boxes , can see 2 seats between Mc Hugh,Mac Loughlin and sheils

overshoot

K-9 wrote: »

Seems poor vote management all right, especially compared to FF. I assume he'll get transfers from Pearse so he should be ok.

Pearses posters always had the other Doherty as number 2... Could be like ff in Donegal south west last time. The two take each other out...and Pringle slips in again

K-9

glenkeo wrote: »

All depends how far over quota Pearse is but wonder why they did not go there in the first place, is % will only get smaller has the count moves away from the Letterkenny boxes , can see 2 seats between Mc Hugh,Mac Loughlin and sheils

Shiels will fall away as the SW votes get counted.

McHugh needs the old McGinley FG core vote to come through, I'd suspect he should be ok. The Cope or Pringle for the last seat I'd say.

K-9

overshoot wrote: »

Pearses posters always had the other Doherty as number 2... Could be like ff in Donegal south west last time. The two take each other out...and Pringle slips in again

Looking at the tallies at 1.10, 217 boxes counted you could be right!

McConologue, Pearse, The Cope, McHugh, Pringle and then MacLochlain. He'll need to pick up a fair few Gary Doherty transfers.

K-9

http://www.highlandradio.com/2016/02/27/election-2016-count-updates/

retalivity

22,000 FF first prefs based on tallies...

bloody hell

muffler

retalivity wrote: »

22,000 FF first prefs based on tallies...

bloody hell

McBrearty is right....people have very short memories

opiniated

K-9 wrote: »

http://www.highlandradio.com/2016/02/27/election-2016-count-updates/

retalivity wrote: »

22,000 FF first prefs based on tallies...

bloody hell

SF on just over 17,000, FG at 10,000.

So that's probably 2 FF, with at least one SF. Transfers to decide the rest?

K-9

Yep, Gary Doherty got over 4,000 votes so it depends how much go to MacLochlain. McHugh should be safe.

Pringle needs to be more transfer friendly than MacLochlain basically to keep his seat.

SF will be kicking themselves if they lose this one.