2018 Irish 8th Amendment (Abortion) Referendum

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Might these turnout figures indicate a bigger than expected win for Yes, should that transpire? I.e., something more like 60/40 or 70/30? *fingers crossed*

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YES! Chock one up for the good guys.

Some demographic breakdowns are coming in from the exit poll now. Only age group to vote 'no' was over 65s. Helps the interpretation that the fanatical resistance to abortion, at least in Ireland, is a product of a generation.

https://twitter.com/lisaocarroll/status/1000275400495386625

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There's something immensely satisfying in seeing this amendment repealed by virtually the exact same margin by which it was adopted.

For reference, the 1983 vote (to adopt the amendment) was:

Yes: 66.9%
No: 33.1%

(Turnout was only 53%, btw. About 1.2M voters overall)

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Social change in Ireland has been seismic.
1980: Contraception legalized by prescription for family planning purposes only.
1983: Constitutional ban on abortion introduced by referendum. Life of the unborn equals the life of the mother.
1985: Contraception becomes available at pharmacies for over 18s without prescription.
1986: Referendum to remove the constitutional ban on divorce fails.
1993: Condoms no longer classified as contraceptives and become widely available. Homosexual activity decriminalized.
1995: Divorce legalized by referendum -- 50.3% in favor.
2003: Morning after pill becomes available with a prescription only.
2011: Morning after pill becomes available without a prescription.
2015: Marriage Equality legalized by referendum.

There is no doubt this will be called a revolution in the history books.

Varadkar already referred to a 'quiet revolution' yesterday, which is a delightful formulation for what's been going on. I'd never put it together before, but Ireland in the 00s really does look like Quebec in the 60s.