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Understanding the 2015 Marriage Referendum in Ireland: Constitutional Convention, Campaign, and Conservative Ireland

Author

Listed:
  • Johan A. Elkink

    (School of Politics and International Relations and Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin)

  • David M. Farrell

    (School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin)

  • Theresa Reidy

    (Department of Government, University College Cork)

  • Jane Suiter

    (Institute for Future Media and Journalism, School of Communications, Dublin City University)

Abstract

On 22 May 2015 the marriage referendum proposal was passed by a large majority of Irish voters and the definition of marriage in the constitution was broadened to introduce marriage equality. This referendum is remarkable for a number of reasons: (1) it is uniquely based on an experiment in deliberative democracy; (2) the referendum campaign was unusually vigorous and active; and (3) the voting patterns at the referendum point to a significant value shift along the deep seated liberal conservative political cleavage of Irish politics. This article provides an overview of the background to the referendum initiative, the campaign prior to the referendum, and the key factors that drove voter turnout and preference. Based on a post-referendum survey, we find that while support for the government of the day, political knowledge, and social attitudes have the same effects as commonly found in other referendums, the variation among social classes was less prevalent than usual and door-to-door canvassing by the two sides of the campaign impacted through turnout rather than vote preference. The voting behaviour of the different age groups suggests strong generational effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Johan A. Elkink & David M. Farrell & Theresa Reidy & Jane Suiter, 2015. "Understanding the 2015 Marriage Referendum in Ireland: Constitutional Convention, Campaign, and Conservative Ireland," Working Papers 201521, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucd:wpaper:201521
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    File URL: http://www.ucd.ie/geary/static/publications/workingpapers/gearywp201521.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    political campaigns; electoral behaviour; referendums; constitutional convention; marriage equality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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