The electorate's dissatisfaction with the handling of the constitutional amendment was marked by a record number of spoiled votes in the two Galway constituencies. In Galway West the 2,201 spoiled votes amounted to more than 10 times the majority of 198 votes in favour of the amendment. A total of 16,437 voters endorsed it, with 16,239 against.
It was carried more comfortably in Galway East, with a majority of 3,391 votes, compared to the 2,104 who spoiled their votes. However, the tally of spoiled votes was much higher than the 248 spoiled votes cast in the presidential election. A total of 16,019 voted Yes in Galway East, while 12,628 rejected it.
Voters in Galway West who spoiled their ballots recorded comments such as "Don't know what this is", "What's this about?" and "Know nothing of this". Similar comments were recorded on ballots in Galway East, underlining the confusion of the electorate.
Others commented on recent and pending tribunals, and on Mr Charles Haughey.