Presidential election: Odds point to lowest voter turnout ever

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025 - 10:23

Eva Osborne

The odds of the presidential election having the lowest turnout ever are just 4/11 with BoyleSports, as the public prepares to cast their vote on Friday.

A turnout of 43.9 per cent saw Michael D Higgins elected to a second term in Áras an Uachtaráin in 2018, in what was the lowest turnout ever recorded.

However, BoyleSports said the odds point to an even lower number on Friday.

Catherine Connolly has opened up a significant lead in the betting stakes as the campaign enters its final stages and is now a 1/10 favourite to take up office. Heather Humphreys has drifted out to 13/2.

BoyleSports said punters are also keen to have their say on what first preference percentage Connolly will secure.

9/2 | 47.01 per cent – 50 per cent
11/4 | 50.01 per cent– 53 per cent
5/2 | 53.01 per cent – 56 per cent
7/2 | 56.01 per cent – 59 per cent
11/2 | 59.01 per cent – 62 per cent
11/2 | 62.01 per cent or more

Spokesperson for BoyleSports, Brian O’Keeffe, said: “Confidence is at an all time high that Catherine Connolly will win the race for the Áras, but punters aren’t envisaging the public flocking to the polls.

"We make it odds-on at 4/11 that Friday will see the lowest election turnout ever.”