'Nothing is perfect but that is why we have elections'

A personal note on election day: I was excited when I woke up this morning. Starting the day with a nice oat milk coffee because it's nicer for my stomach, sitting in front of an open window and thinking about the elections. 

It's my first time voting in Ireland since I moved here almost a year ago. The European Union allows me to vote for the Local and European elections for which I am grateful. We always have to make ourselves aware of how privileged we are as residents in Europe.

Without freedom of labour and freedom of movement, the relationship with my Irish fiancée might have turned out more difficult. Obviously nothing is ever perfect and that naturally applies to the European Union as well. But that is why we have elections. My vote matters and that is why I used it today.

So I walk down to my polling station in Scoil Phádraig in Westport. Casting my ballot in itself is as unspectacular here as it is at home in Germany. Little hiccups are down to little administrational mistakes. First, my name was only down for the local elections not the European ones but a phone call with Mayo County Council as well as my identity card cleared that up quickly. Everyone was so helpful and friendly.

The same is to say about a man in front of me who spoke with a Northern accent, requesting his ballot paper for the European elections. He was asked his nationality to which he replied "I have a UK passport" - "Well, the UK left the EU" the lady calmly replied to which the man replied "But I didn't". I then minded my own business, so I don't know how this encounter ended. But it's a short episode which tells a lot about the complexities of European and Irish politics.

On top of my personal experience today, I'm also excited to report live from the count centre tomorrow in Castlebar, bringing all the news of the elections to you. We should embrace and cherish democracy. Many fought for our democratic rights during past centuries. We should not take that for granted.   

Read more on the Elections:

LIVE-BLOG from the count centre starting Saturday morning

Voting underway in 235 polling stations in Mayo

European Election Explainer: What we vote for and how to vote

Big read: The Irish voting system: How your vote can travel a long way

REVEALED: Full list of candidates who contest Mayo Local Elections