Registering to Vote in Spain
Find out why foreign residents must register separately to vote in Spain and get it done at the town hall.
Spanish citizens are added to the electoral roll automatically through the padrón, but EU citizens and some other foreign residents must register separately to vote in local elections, and only before a deadline. Registration is done at the town hall or online, and the voting card arrives by post; elections are always on a Sunday. The cards follow an Irish resident in Valencia who learns this from a colleague and registers in time.
- 1
Si eres español, no hace falta inscribirse para votar.
If you're Spanish, you don't need to register to vote.
- 2
Es automático, a través del padrón.
It's automatic, through the padrón.
- 3
Pero para los extranjeros es un trámite aparte.
But for foreigners it's a separate step.
- 4
Pues no tenía ni idea, la verdad.
I honestly had no idea.
- 5
¿Puedo votar en las elecciones municipales?
Can I vote in the local elections?
- 6
Sí, si eres ciudadana de la UE y estás inscrita.
Yes, if you're an EU citizen and you're registered.
- 7
Primero tienes que estar empadronada.
First you have to be registered at the town hall.
- 8
¿Dónde tengo que inscribirme?
Where do I have to register?
- 9
Lo puedes hacer en el ayuntamiento o por internet.
You can do it at the town hall or online.
- 10
¿Hay alguna fecha límite?
Is there a deadline?
- 11
Si lo dejas para última hora, no vas a poder votar.
If you leave it till the last minute, you won't be able to vote.
- 12
Cada voto cuenta.
Every vote counts.
- 13
Muchos extranjeros no votan porque no lo saben.
Lots of foreigners don't vote because they don't know.
- 14
Aquí se deciden cosas que también nos afectan.
Things get decided here that affect us too.
- 15
En España no se suele preguntar a quién votas.
In Spain people don't usually ask who you vote for.
- 16
¿Me llega la tarjeta censal por correo?
Will the voting card come by post?
- 17
Para votar, lleva el certificado de registro o el pasaporte.
To vote, bring your EU registration certificate or your passport.
- 18
Las elecciones siempre son en domingo.
Elections are always held on a Sunday.
- 19
Me ha tocado estar en una mesa electoral.
I've been picked to work at a polling station.
- 20
Si necesitas ayuda con el papeleo, me dices.
If you need help with the paperwork, just tell me.