Anybody expecting to be away from Barcelona for election day on 28 May has the chance to vote by post. With the municipal elections now officially called, the application period for postal votes is open until 18 May.
How do I request a postal vote?
The application can be made at any post office (Correos) by requesting the relevant form. It is also possible to apply on the Correos website. You need to fill in the form and specify where you want to receive the documentation and then send it from a Correos office, where they will need to see your ID card to do so. The application period is open until 18 May.
Who can vote by post?
The same requisites must be met for voting in person: to be of age and on the official register of residents, in other words, on the electoral roll. Registration is automatic, but as from the middle of April people can check the electoral register to check there are no mistakes and make any claims or challenges.
Foreign nationals can also apply but must be from the EU or one of the 13 countries with agreements on mutual voting rights. They had to fulfil certain requisites in advance, such as being on the register of residents and the electoral roll.
How do I vote by post?
Once the postal vote application is submitted, applicants receive the electoral documentation at home: voting papers, envelopes, the certificate of registration on the electoral roll and information on how to vote and the corresponding polling table.
Once voters select their candidate and providing all the instructions have been followed, the envelope needs to be returned to the Correos office and sent by registered post. The documentation must be received by 22 May and the deadline for sending it is 24 May.
How do postal votes count?
Correos is responsible for the votes until 9 am on election day, on 28 May, when polling stations open. From that point, the envelopes are delivered to the corresponding polling tables so that they can be included in the count.
Once a postal vote is applied for, people are unable to vote in person on election day. Applying for a postal vote does not exclude people from being entered in the draw to staff an electoral table.