Polling at the referendum took place on Thursday, 7th December, 1972, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. A referendum on the recognition of specified religions took place on the same day. The subject matter of the referendum was described as follows in the official polling card sent to each elector:
THE FOURTH AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION BILL, 1972, proposes to reduce the minimum voting age at Dáil and Presidential elections and Referendums from 21 years to 18 years.”
(This statement was prescribed by the Referendum (Amendment) Act, 1972).
The total number of votes recorded in favour of the proposal was 724,836 and the total number recorded against the proposal was 131,514. As the proposal was duly approved by the people, the Bill was signed by the President on 5th January, 1973, and promulgated as a law.
Result Summary
| Electorate: | 1,783,604 |
| Total Poll: | 903,439 |
| Percentage Poll: | 50.65% |
| Votes in favour of the proposal: | 724,836 |
| Votes against the proposal: | 131,514 |
| Invalid Ballot Papers: | 47,089 |