Irish abroad travel thousands of miles #hometovote on marriage equality

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Irish expats are coming home to have their say on marriage equality, in some cases traveling thousands of miles to cast their ballot.

Voters have documented their journeys to the polling stations under the #hometovote hashtag in what has become a very emotional campaign.

Ireland has become the first country in the world to hold a referendum on whether to legalise same-sex marriage. Voters are being asked whether they agree with the statement: "Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex."

However, votes need to be cast in person, so some of the three million eligible voters have had to come home to make their voices heard.

This is the scene on the 9:10 London to Holyhead train as Irish abroad return #hometovote #marref pic.twitter.com/spVfkb5sIT— Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) May 22, 2015

Came #hometovote all the way from London and found my mum had made some subtle changes to my room for me #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/BOdxqXhJoN— Kevin Beirne (@KevBeirne) May 21, 2015

The #hometovote queue in dublin airport this evening! Via @broadsheet_ie pic.twitter.com/nHxHAdXBo5— buzz o neill (@buzzoneill) May 21, 2015

On the train to Arlanda Airport. It's very early - worth it! #hometovote #LetsMakeHistory #VoteYes #MarRef pic.twitter.com/EN3DL0Gm19— Der is voting YES! (@derhoward) May 22, 2015

In Heathrow airport waiting for a flight to Cork to go #hometovote #MakeGráThelaw pic.twitter.com/ST04TMUQ0t— Debbie O'Neill (@debbiemoneill) May 21, 2015

Some people appeared to have clocked up thousands of miles to make it home.

On my way #hometovote from Ethiopia! Wrecked tired, almost crying reading my Twitter feed, itching to vote! #MarRef— Clare Cullen/Clisare (@Clisare) May 22, 2015

Flew back yesterday from Nairobi to Cork #hometovote - that's a big YES! to equality in Ireland!— Cormac (@Cormac212) May 21, 2015

back from canada and super proud of all the people making it home to vote. Lets hope people see the best choice.#hometovote #voteyes— oonagh (@oons62) May 21, 2015

He's come #hometovote from Berlin! #BestFriendEva pic.twitter.com/vaVC8j43cq— Jack Eustace (@JackAEustace) May 21, 2015

On the way- from Bangkok airport #hometovote pic.twitter.com/NmpzHE8e1F— Carol Hunt (@carolmhunt) May 21, 2015

Many people said they were touched by the hashtag.

It might just be the amount of Sudafed I've consumed today, but #hometovote is a bit magnificent— Oliver Chantler (@olichantler) May 22, 2015

All those who have come #hometovote are absolutely fantastic. This whole thing is so emotional.— Chloé Power (@chloe_something) May 22, 2015

All joking aside - #hometovote is truly inspiring. There'll be some craic in Ireland this weekend!— Colm Keegan (@Colm_Keegan) May 22, 2015

Voted early & flying out of Dublin, airport crazy, departure delayed by over an hr due to late arrivals, is this all because of #hometovote?— Diane (@DianeD_) May 22, 2015

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