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; to expand the eligibility beyond those awarded a degree, to create a supplementary register so that voters can register right up to election periods, the provision of anonymous elector registration and an expansion in the range of documents used to verify citizenship.
• Changes to boost completeness of the new register such as institutions running campaigns to target alumni and new graduates and consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs on engagement with electors registered abroad.
• Changes to make registering to vote easier for those eligible such as the ability to register to vote year round.

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 2029.”