TUS graduates will have opportunity to vote in Seanad Elections for the first time

Graduates of the Technological University of the Shannon will have the opportunity to vote for six university seats in Seanad Eireann for the first time.

Since the establishment of the first Seanad Éireann university seats in 1937, only graduates from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and National University of Ireland (NUI) could vote in two three-seat constituencies.

Now a new change to the system will create a single Higher Education constituency to replace the two existing ones.

The rule change does not apply for the next Seanad election, which is taking place this month, with the new constituency coming into effect for any election after June 1, 2025.

The new Seanad Éireann Higher Education constituency will be made up of TCD and NUI along with 15 other institutions, including Technological University of the Shannon.

President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane said: “Graduates of the Technological University of the Shannon will be part of the new Higher Education constituency. This is a hugely important opportunity for graduates to have a greater voice in the political process in Ireland and to better reflect the diversity of the Higher Education system.”

Accompanying the change is a new portal to establish a register for the Seanad Éireann Higher Education constituency.

TUS graduates can now check their eligibility and register to vote in future Seanad elections at Seanadvoter.ie. The deadline to register is January 23 this year.

To be eligible to register as an elector, graduates must be a citizen of Ireland, must be 18 years of age or older, and hold a degree from a designated institution.

The 2025 Register of Electors for the Seanad Éireann Higher Education constituency will be published on April 1, 2025.

Go to https://seanadvoter.ie/ for more.