Last day to register for seanad voting.

Grayson · 26-02-2019 01:00PM #1

The closing date for registering to vote in Seanad elections is today. If you are Irish and a graduate of trinity or an NUI institution you can vote in the Seanad elections (Sorry everyone else). Trinity students can register online.

NUI Graduates can fill out this form
http://www.nui.ie/elections/docs/GradUpdateENG.pdf

and either drop it into the offices on Merrion square or scan it and email it to the NUI (records@nui.ie) by midnight tonight.

Here's a nice article by the Irish Times about it: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/nui-and-trinity-graduates-could-storm-some-barricades-if-they-register-to-vote-now-1.3804875
Here's the NUI page about it: http://www.nui.ie/elections/seanad-register.asp
Here's the trinity page where trinity students can register: https://www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/graduation/seanad-eireann/

This being AH I'm sure there will be a long and educational discussion about electoral reform. Or it'll descend into rabble rousing.

Either way, if you are eligible you should register. Otherwise you're wasting your vote.

26-02-2019 01:03PM

Whats the vote for? only certain people can vote??
reading that, unless Im misinterpreting it, that seems a bit undemocratic

26-02-2019 01:14PM

Oust Ronan Mullen.

Register today.

klaaaz · 26-02-2019 01:22PM

https://www.thejournal.ie/how-does-the-seanad-election-work-2678508-Mar2016/

It’s estimated that around 53,000 people are eligible to vote for the Trinity panel and 110,000 people are eligible to vote for the NUI panel.

Considering about 3.2m can vote in the general election and some of those grads who have the vote probably emigrated over the years, the Seanad whereby a tiny tiny number have the right to vote for it, the Seanad is really an undemocratic institution. No wonder the general public have zero interest in it.

Turnout hasn’t been great in recent times. In 2011, 33,831 people voted in the NUI election or around a third of the eligible voters. In the Trinity election the turnout was 15,557 or 29% of those eligible to vote. Often graduates may have changed addresses from their student days, or emigrated. There’s also a high proportion who probably don’t care that much.

26-02-2019 01:35PM

klaaaz wrote: »

https://www.thejournal.ie/how-does-the-seanad-election-work-2678508-Mar2016/

Considering about 3.2m can vote in the general election and some of those grads who have the vote probably emigrated over the years, the Seanad whereby a tiny tiny number have the right to vote for it, the Seanad is really an undemocratic institution. No wonder the general public have zero interest in it.

Didn't the public vote to keep the seanad?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty-second_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_Bill_2013

FTA69 · 26-02-2019 01:41PM

Absolutely outdated, undemocratic and frankly snobbish institution that should have been scrapped. The idea that you’re better informed to vote or exercise franchise because you’ve got a degree from UCC is utter b*llocks.

26-02-2019 01:46PM

FTA69 wrote: »

Absolutely outdated, undemocratic and frankly snobbish institution that should have been scrapped. The idea that you’re better informed to vote or exercise franchise because you’ve got a degree from UCC is utter b*llocks.

Dont worry UCC graduates dont get to vote for the seanad.

Seth Brundle · 26-02-2019 01:47PM

FTA69 wrote: »

Absolutely outdated, undemocratic and frankly snobbish institution that should have been scrapped. The idea that you’re better informed to vote or exercise franchise because you’ve got a degree from UCC is utter b*llocks.

It may be outdated, undemocratic and frankly snobbish but the opinion polls did say that electorate wanted to reform it than remove it. We just have not been offered the option to reform it.

kneemos · 26-02-2019 01:48PM

They might have a point.

I mean look what happens when the public get to vote,personal interests take precedent over the national good.

JohnnyFlash · 26-02-2019 01:48PM

RobbieTheRobber wrote: »

Dont worry UCC graduates dont get to vote for the seanad.

Yes they do. Through the NUI panel. Now the debate on whether Cork people should have a vote at all is for another day and another thread.

dudara · 26-02-2019 01:51PM

RobbieTheRobber wrote:

Dont worry UCC graduates dont get to vote for the seanad.

Yes, we do, through the NUI panel.

Graduates who are eligible to vote in Seanad Elections need to get registered and actually use their vote.

IMO, the likes of Ronán Mullen in the Seanad do not represent me, and I think he’s a waste of space, but the only I’ll get him out is to actually exercise my vote.

FTA69 · 26-02-2019 01:52PM

RobbieTheRobber wrote: »

Dont worry UCC graduates dont get to vote for the seanad.

Yes they do.

26-02-2019 01:55PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Yes they do. Through the NUI panel. Now the debate on whether Cork people should have a vote at all is for another day and another thread.

dudara wrote: »

Yes, we do, through the NUI panel.

Graduates who are eligible to vote in Seanad Elections need to get registered and actually use their vote.

IMO, the likes of Ronán Mullen in the Seanad do not represent me, and I think he’s a waste of space, but the only I’ll get him out is to actually exercise my vote.

FTA69 wrote: »

Yes they do.

If only i could have gotten a fourth post in a row telling me this i would have got connect four.

FTA69 · 26-02-2019 01:56PM

RobbieTheRobber wrote: »

If only i could have gotten a fourth post in a row telling me this i would have got connect four.

I was so filled with incandescent rage I just hit the quote button, sorry bud.

Elmo · 26-02-2019 01:57PM

Grayson wrote: »

The closing date for registering to vote in Seanad elections is today. If you are Irish and a graduate of trinity or an NUI institution you can vote in the Seanad elections (Sorry everyone else). Trinity students can register online.

NUI Graduates can fill out this form
http://www.nui.ie/elections/docs/GradUpdateENG.pdf

and either drop it into the offices on Merrion square or scan it and email it to the NUI (records@nui.ie) by midnight tonight.

Here's a nice article by the Irish Times about it: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/nui-and-trinity-graduates-could-storm-some-barricades-if-they-register-to-vote-now-1.3804875
Here's the NUI page about it: http://www.nui.ie/elections/seanad-register.asp
Here's the trinity page where trinity students can register: https://www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/graduation/seanad-eireann/

This being AH I'm sure there will be a long and educational discussion about electoral reform. Or it'll descend into rabble rousing.

Either way, if you are eligible you should register. Otherwise you're wasting your vote.

Why is this the last day, no election has been called??? strange.

troyzer · 26-02-2019 01:59PM

Elmo wrote: »

Why is this the last day, no election has been called??? strange.

It's the cutoff date every year for the annual register.

26-02-2019 02:00PM

Elmo wrote: »

Why is this the last day, no election has been called??? strange.

it happens every year.

It's especially relevant now as there may be an election beyond the Brexit event-horizon through which all political crises have fallen thus far.

Mortelaro · 26-02-2019 02:04PM

Is this new?
I've voted in every Seanad election since I graduated from UCD many moons ago including the last one
Are current voters being taken off the list?

dudara · 26-02-2019 02:07PM

Mortelaro wrote: »

Is this new?
I've voted in every Seanad election since I graduated from UCD many moons ago including the last one
Are current voters being taken off the list?

It happens every year. First off, a lot of graduates don’t register to vote. And those that did register often forget to update their details when they move etc.

Grayson · 26-02-2019 02:11PM

dudara wrote: »

It happens every year. First off, a lot of graduates don’t register to vote. And those that did register often forget to update their details when they move etc.

yep. So there's a lot of people who are eligible to vote but aren't on the register.

I've been posting this in work and i even printed off a load of forms and handed them around.

For everyone that has said it, I agree it needs reform. You should still register to vote if you're able to.

Mortelaro · 26-02-2019 02:11PM

dudara wrote: »

It happens every year. First off, a lot of graduates don’t register to vote. And those that did register often forget to update their details when they move etc.

Ah,so I don't need to do it then?
First I saw of it was an email last night from alumni
I'd thought all graduates were automatically registered, but it makes sense that I may have registered moons ago but don't remember
My address hasn't changed

Grayson · 26-02-2019 02:16PM

FTA69 wrote: »

Absolutely outdated, undemocratic and frankly snobbish institution that should have been scrapped. The idea that you’re better informed to vote or exercise franchise because you’ve got a degree from UCC is utter b*llocks.

I agree, However I'd still like to keep it. Personally I'd like to see the seanad filled with groups that represent the people. Have a seat for certain unions like teachers, nurses etc. have a seat for graduates, one for students too (all elected by votes from the unions members). Give charities a seat and business groups. The seanad could become a place where we elect informed individuals from certain areas who can share their expertise and speak for their area of expertise.

Get rid of all the political appointees. It shouldn't be a consolation prize because you lost your seat in the dail in the last election.

Yamanoto · 26-02-2019 02:17PM

Not a big fan of Ronán Mullen myself, but I think there's clearly merit in making room for the expression of viewpoints which swim against the prevailing tide.

troyzer · 26-02-2019 02:17PM

Grayson wrote: »

I agree, However I'd still like to keep it. Personally I'd like to see the seanad filled with groups that represent the people. Have a seat for certain unions like teachers, nurses etc. have a seat for graduates, one for students too (all elected by votes from the unions members). Give charities a seat and business groups. The seanad could become a place where we elect informed individuals from certain areas who can share their expertise and speak for their area of expertise.

Get rid of all the political appointees. It shouldn't be a consolation prize because you lost your seat in the dail in the last election.

Sort of like a permanent citizens assembly? I quite like that idea.

troyzer · 26-02-2019 02:18PM

Yamanoto wrote: »

Not a big fan of Ronán Mullen myself, but I think there's clearly merit in making room for the expression of viewpoints which swim against the prevailing tide.

That's what the Iona institute are for.

dudara · 26-02-2019 02:21PM

Yamanoto wrote: »

Not a big fan of Ronán Mullen myself, but I think there's clearly merit in making room for the expression of viewpoints which swim against the prevailing tide.

He doesn’t get room made for him just because he has a particular viewpoint. He stands for election and if enough people vote for him, he gets elected. I disagree with him and I will be using my vote not to elect him.

26-02-2019 02:25PM

Grayson wrote: »

I agree, However I'd still like to keep it. Personally I'd like to see the seanad filled with groups that represent the people. Have a seat for certain unions like teachers, nurses etc. have a seat for graduates, one for students too (all elected by votes from the unions members). Give charities a seat and business groups. The seanad could become a place where we elect informed individuals from certain areas who can share their expertise and speak for their area of expertise.

Get rid of all the political appointees. It shouldn't be a consolation prize because you lost your seat in the dail in the last election.

That was the original idea in 1937, back when Ireland's economic life only consisted of agriculture and something vaguely called the 'labour' panel.

It would be an ideal forum, also, for giving a voice to Irish emigrants.

It has so much potential as a reformed assembly, but as has been noted, that's no excuse to waste a vote in the mean time.

RobertKK · 26-02-2019 02:25PM

troyzer wrote: »

That's what the Iona institute are for.

Are they in parliament?

Do we want everyone in parliament to hold similar opinions on everything?
If yes then that is not democracy, because every opinion should be represented, even those we disagree with.

This get rid of Ronan Mullen is simply people arguing for group think.

I don't agree with the socialist party or any of those other far left parties in the Dáil, but it is a positive for our democracy that their voices are heard and not covered up, because people disagree with their politics.

troyzer · 26-02-2019 02:34PM

RobertKK wrote: »

Are they in parliament?

Do we want everyone in parliament to hold similar opinions on everything?
If yes then that is not democracy, because every opinion should be represented, even those we disagree with.

This get rid of Ronan Mullen is simply people arguing for group think.

I don't agree with the socialist party or any of those other far left parties in the Dáil, but it is a positive for our democracy that their voices are heard and not covered up, because people disagree with their politics.

I don't want to get rid of him for the sake of it. I want his electorate to vote him out and think such extreme theocratic views do not belong in a parliament. But I don't dispute his legitimacy in being there.

Grayson · 26-02-2019 02:56PM

RobertKK wrote: »

Are they in parliament?

Do we want everyone in parliament to hold similar opinions on everything?
If yes then that is not democracy, because every opinion should be represented, even those we disagree with.

This get rid of Ronan Mullen is simply people arguing for group think.

I don't agree with the socialist party or any of those other far left parties in the Dáil, but it is a positive for our democracy that their voices are heard and not covered up, because people disagree with their politics.

It's the fact that he wouldn't get elected to the dail.

enfant terrible · 26-02-2019 02:59PM

Seth Brundle wrote: »

It may be outdated, undemocratic and frankly snobbish but the opinion polls did say that electorate wanted to reform it than remove it. We just have not been offered the option to reform it.

Yes we had the chance to scrap it and we missed it.

We're stuck with it now.

Last day to register for seanad voting.

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