Spain's election draw puts 549,297 on polling duty

Across Spain, including Mallorca, councils start drawing names on Saturday, 31 October, for the 29 November parliamentary election. An estimated 549,297 people will be called to polling stations, either to serve on an election table or to stand by as a substitute. The public draws must finish by 4 November.

Nine names for every table

Spain expects to set up 61,033 election tables, subject to changes in the electoral register. Each needs a chair and two other members, plus two substitutes for each post. All nine must report to their polling station at 8am on election day.

Councils must send those chosen a notice and an instruction manual within three days of the draw. A late notice does not cancel the appointment. Once it arrives, the recipient has seven days to put forward a reason they cannot serve.

The draw covers registered voters under 70 who can read and write. People aged 65 or over can opt out within seven days. Election candidates are excluded.

When a booked trip can count

A trip or holiday booked before the election was called may be accepted as a reason not to serve, if cancelling it would cause financial loss or serious difficulty. The person must provide evidence, and the local electoral board makes the decision.

Serving is compulsory without an accepted excuse. Under Spain’s electoral law, failing to turn up or leaving the post without a valid reason can bring a prison sentence of three months to a year or a fine. Those who serve receive 75 euros. Employees and public officials are also entitled to five hours off their working day immediately after the election.

Topics: Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com