Seanad Electoral Register

Seanad Eireann Registration for the University of Dublin Constituency is Closed

The next election for Seanad Éireann, to be held in January 2025, will use the current University of Dublin Seanad Éireann Register of Electors. This register was published on 1 June 2024. The electoral act that applies to Seanad elections does not allow any supplemental register or late registrations and provides for one yearly closing date; the closing date for applications was 26 February 2024.

The deadline (29 November) for amending your address on the Seanad Register has passed. We will continue to process address updates, but this will not affect the address to which your voting materials are sent on 30 December as this has already been communicated to An Post. If your voting papers are returned (undelivered) to the University we will endeavour to send it to your updated address.

If you are currently included on the University of Dublin register and wish to change your postal address, please contact us at academic.registry@tcd.ie and provide the following information:

Student number (if available)
Your full name (include middle name(s) and maiden names if relevant).
Your date of birth
Course / Years attended
Addresses you may have been previously registered under.

Higher Education Constituency for Seanad Éireann

The Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Act 2024 has recently been signed into law. It will not be used in the January 2025 election but preparations are in place to have it ready for the subsequent election whenever that may be. This Act creates a new six-seater Higher Education constituency for Seanad Éireann and extends voting rights to graduates of other designated institutions in addition to Trinity College Dublin and NUI.

Registration will not be automatic. You must apply through a new registration process if you wish to be included in the register for the Higher Education constituency. Registration is open and will close on 23 January 2025.

Further information is available at www.seanadvoter.ie.

Seanad Electoral Register (2024)

The 2024 Seanad Electoral Register was published on 1st June 2024. If you would like to confirm your inclusion on the provisional register please contact the Academic Registry Service Desk either by email to academic.registry@tcd.ie, by phone at +353 (0)1 896 4500 or in person. When contacting us please ensure to provide as much information as possible including:

Student number (if available)
Your full name (include middle name(s) and maiden names if relevant).
Your date of birth
Course / Years attended
Addresses you may have been previously registered under.

The Register of Electors may be used for electoral purposes only, while an edited Register of Electors, can also be used for commercial purposes. The register is provided in electronic format only and currently costs the sum of €114.75 made payable by credit or debit card, along with the submission of purchase form.

If you wish to view a copy of the Register this can be facilitated in our Watts Building service desk, please contact us at the details above to arrange an appointment. For more information on eligibility to be included on the Seanad Electoral Register for the University of Dublin constituency, please see our FAQ below.

Amending Contact Details On The Register

An elector may, at any time, ensure that their details are up-to-date by submitting a request to the Academic Registry, either by email at academic.registry@tcd.ie, by phone at +353 (0)1 896 4500 or in person. Unless we are informed of a change of address, voting papers will go to the address on record and updates to same must be received in writing to academic.registry@tcd.ie. When contacting us please ensure to provide as much information as possible including:

Student number (if available)
Your full name (include middle name(s) and maiden names if relevant).
Your date of birth
Course / Years attended
Addresses you may have been previously registered under.

Seanad Éireann FAQs

How do I apply to be on the Register of Electors?

Graduates with a Degree from University of Dublin (and please note that whereas Trinity College is the sole constituent college of the University of Dublin, it is the university and not the college that awards degrees) can claim their right to be added to the Register when they are responding to the invitation to graduate. In addition to this, graduates can complete the on-line claim form here https://www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/graduation/seanad-eireann/seanad-form/.

All claims to be included in the Register must be received by 26th February in any given year for inclusion in the Register of Electors published on the 1st June of that year. It is only necessary to register once unless, for one of the reasons given below, a name has been removed from the Register of Electors.

How can I check if I am on the current Register of Electors?

Inclusion on the DU Seanad Éireann Electoral Register can be confirmed by contacting the Academic Registry Service Desk either by email to academic.registry@tcd.ie, by phone at +353 (0)1 896 4500 or in person. When contacting us please ensure to provide as much information as possible including:

Student number (if available)
Your full name (include middle name(s) and maiden names if relevant).
Your date of birth
Course / Years attended
Addresses you may have been previously registered under.

I didn’t receive my ballot in the last election - can I update my address on the current register?

Yes, an elector may, at any time, update their details by submitting a request to the Academic Registry, either by email at academic.registry@tcd.ie, by phone at +353 (0)1 896 4500 or in person. Unless we are informed of a change of address, voting papers will go to the address on record and updates to same must be received in writing to academic.registry@tcd.ie. When contacting us please ensure to provide as much information as possible including:

Student number (if available)
Your full name (include middle name(s) and maiden names if relevant).
Your date of birth
Course / Years attended
Addresses you may have been previously registered under.

How can I update my contact details once I am on the Register?

An elector may, at any time, update their details by submitting a request to the Academic Registry, either by email at academic.registry@tcd.ie, by phone at +353 (0)1 896 4500 or in person. Unless we are informed of a change of address, voting papers will go to the address on record and updates to same must be received in writing to academic.registry@tcd.ie. When contacting us please ensure to provide as much information as possible including:

Student number (if available)
Your full name (include middle name(s) and maiden names if relevant).
Your date of birth
Course / Years attended
Addresses you may have been previously registered under.

Why am I not on the register?
The right to vote is not automatic; it must be claimed. Eligible graduates are required to complete a registration/update form and return it to the Academic Registry by the 26th February in any given year for inclusion in the revised register published on the 1st June of that year. It is only necessary to register once unless, for one of the reasons given below, a name has been removed from the register.

When are names removed from the Register?
Names are removed:

on receipt of written request by a graduate to have their name removed
on receipt of notification of the death of a graduate
As provided by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001: ‘after reasonable enquiry by the registration officer, whose address or the address to which the ballot paper is to be sent is unknown’. (S. 56)

If my name is removed from the Register can I still vote?

You can apply to re-register and will be eligible to vote only if your name is published on the Register of Electors in use for the relevant Seanad Éireann Election. The Register of Electors is published on 1st of June each year.

I have a disability and am finding it difficult to fill out the ballot paper. What supports are available to me?

If you need any assistance or support to complete the ballot paper, please contact the Academic Registry at Academic.Registry@tcd.ie or +353 1 8964500.

Can I purchase a copy of the Register of Electors?

Anyone can request to purchase a copy of the Register of Electors for statutory purposes only and upon adherence to the provisions of the GDPR and the Data Protection Acts (1988 to 2018). The Register of Electors is provided in electronic format only on submission of the purchase form and full receipt of payment. The cost is calculated based on a set formula as prescribed in the legislation. The cost of the 2024 Register of Electors is €114.75 made payable by debit credit card.

Enquiries in relation to purchasing the Register of Electors can be made in person, by phone at 00353 (0)1 896 4500 or by email to academic.registry@tcd.ie