NPR

Irish Voters Cast Ballots In 'Once-In-A-Generation' Vote On Abortion Rights

At issue is a 1983 constitutional amendment that guarantees the "right to life of the unborn" and bans abortion in most cases. Friday's landmark referendum will decide whether the ban is repealed.
Leo Varadkar, Ireland's prime minister, or taoiseach, leaves a Dublin polling station after casting his vote in Friday's referendum. Varadkar has campaigned aggressively for repealing Ireland's abortion ban, but the vote's results are expected to be close.

After weeks of anticipation, acrimony and more than a little heated discussion, Irish voters are finally casting ballots Friday to decide a simple yet deeply divisive question: Should the country repeal a constitutional amendment that bans abortion in nearly all circumstances?

A "no" vote would preserve the 1983 amendment that recognizes the "right to life of the unborn," effectively equating the life of a fetus with the life of a mother.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min readWorld
Ukraine's Zelenskyy Calls God An "Ally" Against Russia In Orthodox Easter Message
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukrainians in an Easter address to be united in prayer and called God an "ally" in the war with Russia.
NPR7 min read
She Survived The 1970 Kent State Shooting. Here's Her Message To Student Activists
On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard fired on Kent State students, killing four and wounding nine. A former student who now teaches there reflects on that day and offers lessons for protesters now.
NPR3 min read
In The 1980s, He Led Student Protests. Now, He's A College Dean
Pedro Noguera led anti-apartheid protests as a student at UC Berkeley. Forty years later, he offers his thoughts on the ongoing protests at the University of Southern California over the war in Gaza.

Related Books & Audiobooks