How Elections Work in Spain
Phrases for asking and explaining how voting, postal votes, polling stations and coalitions work in Spain.
Spaniards vote on a Sunday at a colegio electoral, picking a sealed list of candidates rather than one person, and seats are shared out proportionally by province. Citizens are chosen by lottery to staff the mesa electoral, the day before is a jornada de reflexión with no campaigning, and after the count parties often need a coalition or a pacto to govern. The cards follow lunch-break questions to colleagues and election night with friends.
- 1
¿Cómo funciona el sistema electoral aquí?
How does the electoral system work here?
- 2
No votas a una persona, votas a una lista.
You don't vote for a person, you vote for a list.
- 3
Los escaños se reparten por provincia.
Seats are shared out by province.
- 4
¿Cuándo son las elecciones?
When are the elections?
- 5
Ese domingo voy a estar fuera.
I'm going to be away that Sunday.
- 6
Puedes votar por correo.
You can vote by post.
- 7
Hay que solicitarlo con antelación en Correos.
You have to request it in advance at the post office.
- 8
Me ha tocado estar en una mesa electoral.
I've been picked to sit at a polling station.
- 9
¿Es obligatorio?
Is it compulsory?
- 10
Sí, salvo que tengas un motivo justificado.
Yes, unless you have a good reason.
- 11
¿Dónde me toca votar?
Where do I have to go to vote?
- 12
Míralo en internet con tu DNI.
Check it online with your ID.
- 13
Metes la papeleta en el sobre.
You put the ballot paper in the envelope.
- 14
¿Por qué hoy no se puede hacer campaña?
Why can't they campaign today?
- 15
Es la jornada de reflexión antes de votar.
It's the day of reflection before the vote.
- 16
Ya están contando los votos.
They're counting the votes now.
- 17
Nadie tiene mayoría absoluta.
Nobody has an absolute majority.
- 18
Van a tener que formar una coalición.
They'll have to form a coalition.
- 19
Depende de con quién pacten.
It depends on who they make a deal with.
- 20
Esto puede durar meses.
This could take months.