Your Vote is Your Voice

10 September 2026 – An Coimisiún Toghcháin has called for a major further push to increase voter registration for the new 6-seat Seanad Higher Education constituency after finding that just 71,850 people are currently registered to vote from a potential eligible electorate estimated at between 800,000 and one million graduates.

In its first oversight report on the new electoral register, the Commission makes ten recommendations aimed at increasing awareness, making registration easier and improving the completeness of the register ahead of the next Seanad general election.

For almost nine decades six members of Seanad Éireann were elected by graduates of just two universities, Trinity College Dublin and the National University of Ireland. New 2024 legislation established a new Higher Education constituency for Seanad Éireann elections with an expanded electorate of graduates of over eighty current, affiliated and historic higher education institutions. For this new Higher Education constituency, a totally new electoral register has been created.

Every two years An Coimisiún Toghcháin will independently assess and report on the accuracy and completeness of the Higher Education constituency electoral register. It will also report on the activities undertaken to ensure that eligible voters are aware of how to register and update their details, and how the Central Registration Authority (CRA) manages the registration process.

This content for this report has been prepared with the support of Dr. Patrick O’Leary of the CRA, the Returning Officer of each educational institution, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

An Coimisiún recommends:

Legislative changes

1. a review of the eligibility criteria for registration, currently limited to the award of a degree only which excludes equivalent NQF qualifications.
2. the creation of supplementary registers so that voters can register right up to election periods;
3. that anonymous elector registration is facilitated to protect those whose safety may be at risk through the inclusion of their name and address on the published register;
4. the range of documents that can be used to verify citizenship is increased;

Changes to boost completeness of the new register

5. that the Central Registration Authority and educational institutions run innovative and expansive communications campaigns targeting both alumni and new graduates.
6. consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs on how best to regularly engage eligible electors living abroad.
7. that all designated educational institutions showcase a link to www.seanadvoter.ie portal on their websites.
8. that designated educational institutions share information and collaborate on the communications and engagement activities they are undertaking.

Changes to make registering to vote easier for those eligible

9. voter registration is enabled on a year-round basis, as registration through the online portal is currently closed between February and June each year.
10. registration process is improved to minimise the possibility of applicants submitting incorrect information by including using drop down menus to reduce incorrect course names and years being submitted.

Art O’Leary Chief Executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin stated:

“The creation of the new Seanad Higher Education constituency is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to open up participation in our democracy to hundreds of thousands more people.

“For many decades, the right to elect these six Senators was confined to graduates of just two universities. Today, graduates of more than eighty higher education institutions can potentially have their voice heard in the election of Seanad Éireann.

“Dr. Patrick O’Leary, the team at the Central Registration Authority and the many educational institutions involved deserve enormous credit for the work they have done in establishing an entirely new electoral register from the ground up. Creating a register for a completely new and significantly expanded electorate was a major undertaking and much has already been achieved.

“But the real success of this historic reform will be measured by how many eligible people ultimately know about their right to vote and take the opportunity to register.

“We now have an opportunity to build on the strong foundations that have been laid. We want every eligible graduate, whether living in Ireland or anywhere around the world, to know that they may now have a new voice in Irish democracy.

“Our message is simple: if you are eligible, register at SeanadVoter.ie. Be part of this historic change and make sure your voice can be heard when the next Seanad election takes place in 2030.”

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For further information, please contact:

Brian Dawson, Communications and Public Affairs Manager,

An Coimisiún Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission,

Brian.dawson@electoralcommission.ie / 086 0749344

Editor’s Note:

The Seanad Higher Education Constituency Electoral Register Oversight Report:

English Version

Irish Version

Oversight of the Electoral Register

An Coimisiún Toghcháin has a statutory oversight role on the status, functioning, completeness and accuracy of the electoral registers. It may also carry out research, make recommendations and set standards.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin presents this report in the exercise of its statutory powers under section 26 of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Act 2024 to support and make recommendations for improving the completeness, accuracy and maintenance of the Higher Education constituency electoral register.

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