Ballots and Envelopes in Spain
Make sense of Spanish ballot papers, envelopes, blank and spoiled votes, the voter card and postal voting.
In Spain every party has its own papeleta, which you put in an envelope and drop in the urna; parties also post them to your home so you can bring yours ready. In general elections the Congress ballot is a closed list, while the beige Senate ballot lets you mark up to three names, an empty envelope is a voto en blanco and anything written on the ballot makes it nulo. Postal votes are requested at Correos. The cards follow a new citizen in Valencia getting ready for their first vote.
- 1
¿Qué es exactamente una papeleta?
What exactly is a ballot paper?
- 2
Es el papel con la lista del partido.
It's the paper with the party's list.
- 3
Cada partido tiene su propia papeleta.
Every party has its own ballot.
- 4
La metes en el sobre y lo cierras.
You put it in the envelope and seal it.
- 5
La del Senado es de color sepia.
The Senate one is beige.
- 6
En la del Senado marcas hasta tres nombres con una cruz.
On the Senate one you mark up to three names with a cross.
- 7
Si escribes algo en ella, el voto es nulo.
If you write anything on it, the vote is spoiled.
- 8
Un sobre vacío cuenta como voto en blanco.
An empty envelope counts as a blank vote.
- 9
Los partidos te mandan las papeletas a casa.
The parties send the ballots to your home.
- 10
Puedes traer la papeleta de casa ya metida en el sobre.
You can bring the ballot from home, already in the envelope.
- 11
Hay cabinas si quieres votar en privado.
There are booths if you want to vote in private.
- 12
¿Tienes la tarjeta censal?
Have you got your voter card?
- 13
No hace falta, basta con el DNI.
You don't need it, your ID is enough.
- 14
Puedes consultar dónde votas por internet.
You can check online where you vote.
- 15
Voy a estar fuera, ¿puedo votar por correo?
I'm going to be away; can I vote by post?
- 16
Tienes que solicitarlo en Correos.
You have to request it at the post office.
- 17
Te lo mandan todo por correo certificado.
They send you everything by registered post.
- 18
No lo dejes para el último momento.
Don't leave it till the last minute.
- 19
¿Y en las municipales es igual?
And is it the same in the local elections?
- 20
Me da miedo coger la que no es.
I'm scared of picking up the wrong one.