Carlow County Council is divided into three local electoral areas, Carlow Town Municipal District (MD), the Tullow MD and the Muinebeag MD. The council consists of 18 seats with seven seats in the Carlow Town MD, six seats in the Tullow MD and five seats in the Muinebeag MD. As there are 18 seats up for grabs, a party must have 10 councillors elected to Carlow County Council to have a majority.