I'm sure most of you will be aware that the 26th May will be election day here in Spain. On that day we will be voting for both the municipal council and the European Parliament. When I say we, I mean those of us who are eligible to vote and are included on the electoral roll.
Nationals of European countries and those from countries that a reciprocal agreement with Spain are entitled to vote. Note that, even though Britain may have left the EU by then, we will still be able to vote because the reciprocal agreement has already been made.
There are three ways in which we can vote; on the Internet, by post and in person at the Town Hall (or designated polling station). Of the three, voting in person is by far the most simple.
However, in order to vote you will need to be registered to vote by the 30th of January. Those nationals from countries that have a reciprocal agreement need to register by the 15th January.
To register on the Padron you need;
a) an up to date identity document - identity card or passport.
b) a document that proves your address
c) the title deed, water or electricity bill or your SUMA bill. Please note that this document
must be in your name.
Your copy of the Padron
MUST BE less than five years old so if the last time you obtained a copy was when you first arrived here, it will probably need renewing.
If you go to the Town Hall, you can check that you are still recorded on the Padron and also check your eligibility to vote in the forthcoming elections.
PS Taken from the following official document provided by the Town Hall along with their fuller explanation in Spanish.
PADRON
General information
The Padron (Inhabitant Municipal Census) is the
administrative registration where all the neighbours of the town are.
Its data are proof of the residence in
the municipality and of the address.
The document is issued as a public and reliable document for all
administrative purposes. Everyone who usually lives in Spain is
obliged to register in the Padron of
the Town Hall where they live
Rules:
Law 7/1985 of
2 April regulating the Local System.
Regulation on Population and
Demarcation of Local Entities (Royal Decree 1690/1986, of July 11).
Organic Law 14/2003 of November 20, reform of the Organic Law
4/2000.
Resolution of
30 January 2015, of the President of the National Institute of
Statistics and the Directorate General for the Coordination of
Competences with the Autonomous Regions and Local Authorities on
technical instructions to the municipalities on management of the
Municipal Register.
Organic Law 14/2003 of November
20, reform of the Organic Law 4/2000.
Formalities:
EU citizens:
Updated identity
document (passport or identity card).
Document proving
an address (a home of your property or rented home):
*Property: title
deed, water or electricity bills or SUMA bill of the house. (These
documents must be in the owner’s name)
*Rented home:
updated rental agreement.
Once registered
on the Padron, citizens have three months to apply for the Residence
Certificate (or card) in Spain. Once you have got it, you can sign on
for the electoral roll if you are interested in voting in Spain.
The Padron must
be renewed every five years.
Non-EU
citizens:
Updated identity
document (passport) or Residence card.
Document proving
an address (See above)
Padron must be
renewed every two years, if you have not got the permanent residence
in Spain. If you have it, the padron will be renewed when it expires.
Advantages:
Right to vote at
the European and Local elections. Derecho a la asistencia e
inserción social.
Right to social
servicies and social assistance.
Right to public school.
Right to public
services, such as ambulance, SIP card, improvements for the
municipality.
SIP CARD
Everyone who
would like to get the SIP card must go to the SIP Card Information
Point at the Town Hall or to the nearest medical centre
RIGHT TO VOTE
In the Local
Elections as well as in the European ones, you will be able to vote
if you are:
Spanish over 18 years
old.
An EU citizen
with the Residence certificate in Spain, with your padron and if you
have applied to enrol for the electoral roll.
A citizen from
a country with reciprocity agreements to vote in the Local Elections.
