How eleven counts decided Dublin Central’s four seats in Ireland’s 2024 election

The valid poll and number of seats set the quota

Dublin Central had 32,754 valid ballots for four seats. Dividing the valid poll by five, taking the whole number and adding one gives a quota of 6,551. Mary Lou McDonald led the first count with 6,389 first preferences and was the first to pass the quota, on count three. Source 1 Source 2

An elected candidate’s surplus can move to continuing candidates

McDonald reached 7,388 on count three, a surplus of 837 above quota. The following count distributed that surplus. Gary Gannon passed the quota on count eight and Paschal Donohoe passed it on count ten. The count sheet records redistribution in the subsequent rounds. Source 1 Source 2

The final surplus changed which candidate was ahead

After count ten, Hutch was on 5,194 and Sherlock on 5,070. Donohoe’s surplus then added 1,032 to Sherlock and 127 to Hutch, leaving Sherlock on 6,102 and Hutch on 5,321. Sherlock was declared elected to the remaining seat. Source 1 Source 3

An elected candidate can finish below the quota

The Electoral Commission explains that a candidate can be elected below quota when the other remaining candidates are excluded. The published declaration names McDonald, Gannon, Donohoe and Sherlock as the elected candidates. The full count sheets also record non-transferable ballots. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

Sources

• Houses of the Oireachtas official Dáil results, Dublin Central count sheets
• Electoral Commission explanation of the Irish single transferable vote
• Dublin City Returning Officer declaration of results