Returning Officer for County Galway

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NOTICE OF DÁIL ELECTION

CONSTITUENCY OF GALWAY WEST

 

Pursuant to a writ issued to me by the Clerk of Dáil Éireann I am about to proceed to the election of 1 member of the Dáil for this constituency.

Nomination papers may be obtained from the address below during the usual office hours or may be downloaded from this website.

A person may nominate himself/herself as a candidate or may, with his/her consent, be nominated by a proposer who is registered as a Dáil elector in the constituency.

A nomination paper from a candidate of a registered political party must have a certificate of political affiliation attached which must be produced to me with his/her completed nomination paper.  

If no certificate is attached, the candidate must, before the latest time for receiving nominations, either- 

  • secure 30 assents to the nomination by way of statutory declarations by Dáil electors registered in the constituency (forms available from my office or website below or the registration authority), or 
  • make a deposit of €500 (deposit may also be made on the candidate’s behalf). 

Details of these requirements are set out in the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2007.

The latest time for receiving nominations is 12 noon on the 1st day of May 2026.

Completed nomination papers may be delivered to me in person by the candidate or his/her proposer at any time when I am at my office, from 10am on the 28th day of April 2026 until 12 noon on the last day for receiving nominations.

I am required by law to attend to receive nominations between 10am and 12 noon and between 2pm and 5pm on the 30th day of April 2026, and between 10am and 12 noon on the 1st day of May 2026.

If the election is contested, a poll will be taken on the 22nd day of May 2026 between the hours of 7 am and 10 pm.

Marian Chambers Higgins
Returning Officer
The Courthouse
Galway

Date: 24th April 2026

Polling Scheme for Galway West (2026)

The polling scheme for Galway West for the Bye-Election in 2026 is available by clicking the links below.   The scheme show the number and location of each ballot box and the districts and register numbers assigned to each.

Polling Scheme for Galway West

 

Information for prospective candidates 2026

While no date has yet been set for the Bye-Election in Galway West it is expected to be held during May 2026.  Prospective candidates can download the various forms required to register their nomination from the link below.

Nomination Forms - Foirmeacha Ainmniúcháin

Please note that while these forms can be prepared in advance they cannot be accepted by the Returning Officer until the start of the official nomination period which will only be known when the election has been called.   However prospective candidates are welcome to contact the Returning Officer, Marian Chambers Higgins, by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if they need any assistance with the registration of their candidacy.  

Application for Work

We may have a small number of vacancies for work at the forthcoming Bye-Election in Galway West.   This election will be held on Friday, 22nd May, 2026.  Anybody who wants to apply for work at this election can download an application form by clicking on the link below.   The form should be printed out, completed and returned by POST or hand delivery only to

Returning Officer, Courthouse, Galway, H91 CDT6

  • Application Form for Work at Elections

We are unable to accept applications by email so the form must be completed and physically delivered to us. Please note that the Returning Officer is prohibited from employing anybody who has been employed by or on behalf of a Interested Parties or Elected Representatives in or about the Election or has been associated in furthering or promoting the interests of any interested party at the Election.  This includes posts on social media.