Seanad Elections Registration
As a graduand of Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) you are entitled to register, subject to meeting eligibility criteria, on the Register of Electors and participate in future Seanad Elections.
Seanad Elections Register of Electors
The Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Act 2024 has established a new six-seat Higher Education constituency for Seanad Eireann that extends voting rights to graduates of other Designated Institutions (https://seanadvoter.ie/InstitutionsEN.shtml) in addition to the National University of Ireland (NUI) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD). There is a Central Registration Authority (CRA) who is responsible for the preparation and annual revision of the Register of Electors and each Designated Institution, including Dundalk Institute of Technology, will be working collaboratively with the CRA going forward. Any Seanad General Election that takes place on foot of a Seanad Election Order made by the Minister after 21st March 2025 will be held on the basis of the new Higher Education constituency.
As a graduand of Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) you are entitled to register, subject to meeting eligibility criteria, on the Register of Electors and participate in future Seanad Elections.
2026 Deadline
The deadline for applications to be included in the 2026 register is 26th February 2026.
The Application Process
Step 1: Check Eligibility
- You must be an Irish citizen AND
- You must be at least 18 years old AND
- You must hold a degree (bachelors, masters or doctoral level) from a Designated Institution. Certificates, diplomas, higher diplomas, and honorary degrees do not fulfil this requirement irrespective if they are at NFQ levels 7, 8, or 9.
Step 2: Visit SeanadVoter.ie
- Go to the section "New applicant for the Seanad Éireann Higher Education constituency."
- Click "Apply Now" and complete your application online.
- Alternatively, download the application form on the portal and submit it by post to the Central Registration Authority (CRA) - SeanadVoter.ie, PO Box 13784, Dublin 2, Ireland.
After Your Application
Once you submit an application to the added to the Register of Electors initial checks will be completed by the Central Registration Authority (CRA). The DkIT Registrar’s Office will verify that you were a graduate of DkIT. DkIT is a Designated Institution responsible for the verifications of qualifications/awards on behalf of the CRA.
The CRA is responsible for the Register of Electors and the management of the Seanad elections. Any queries regarding the Seanad elections, and communications relating to same, should be directed to the CRA ([email protected] ) and not the HEI, in this case Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).
Further information
Further information is available in the “Resources” section of the SeanadVoter.ie website:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s);
- Application Guide;
- Voter Eligibility and Case Studies;
- Terminology;
- List of Designated Institutions.
If someone you know is a graduate with a degree from Dundalk Institute of Technology (1998 – Present) or Regional Technical College Dundalk (1970 – 1998) they are eligible to apply to be included in the Seanad Éireann Electoral Register The degree must be at bachelors, masters, or doctoral level. Certificates, diplomas, and postgraduate diplomas are not eligible irrespective if they are at NFQ levels 7, 8, or 9.
