Dear Pro-Life friend,
You may have seen advertising on social media and in the newspapers in recent days encouraging third level graduates to register for a new Seanad constituency called the Higher Education Panel which will enable them to vote for Senators in future Seanad elections.
New ‘Higher Education’ Constituency.
Legislation passed last year paved the way for a revamped electoral register for future Seanad elections replacing the NUI and Trinity panels, significantly expanding voter eligibility.
Under the updated law, Irish citizens with a degree from a designated Irish higher-education institution can now register to vote in university elections for the Seanad. This change will replace the current constituencies with a new six-seat ‘Higher Education’ constituency. A list of the designated institutions, graduates of which can register, can be found here.
Registration Deadline is TONIGHT, midnight, Thursday, 23rd January
If you are an existing registered graduate of NUI or Trinity, you should have received a letter in December 2024 with a number unique to you which will enable you to register simply on the new voter website seanadvoter.ie.
If you are a new voter ( ie a graduate from one of the designated institutions) you can apply to join the first Register of Electors for the new constituency online at seanadvoter.ie.
The deadline for applications for both (to be included in the 2025 register) is midnight, tonight 23rd January, 2025.
Some personal details must be provided by applicants and the updated electoral register will be published and come into effect on 1st April 2025. Beginning in 2026, an annual revision process will ensure the register is updated, with the revised version published annually on 1st June of each year.
The most important thing to note is that individuals currently registered to vote in the NUI and Trinity constituencies will not be automatically transferred to the new register.
These voters must re-register at **seanadvoter.ie** to maintain eligibility and by midnight TONIGHT 23rd January to be included in the 2025 register.
We encourage all pro-life voters to ensure (if they qualify under the new or existing rules) that they are registered to vote.
See seanadvoter.ie for more information and remember the deadline to be included in the 2025 register is TODAY, 23rd January 2025.
And finally, re current Seanad elections
At present, elections are underway in the existing National University of Ireland (NUI) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) constituencies, each selecting three Seanad members with a deadline to return postal votes by 11am on Wednesday, 29th January, 2025. Those who are registered graduates from NUI Universities or Trinity College Dublin will have received their postal ballots earlier this month. If you have received your ballot and have not yet sent it back to NUI or Trinity, please remember to do so in advance of the deadline.
Of the incumbent candidates seeking re-election, Independent Senator Rónán Mullen is the stand out candidate who deserves the support of pro-life voters for consistently speaking up for life in Seanad Éireann.
Thank you!
Pro Life Campaign
