The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, gave the surprise on November 5 by announce the call for general elections. In this way, an intense countdown to the electoral campaign begins with several open fronts among which the denunciation of Iustitia Europa stands out, who They try to stop the elections appealing to adulteration of the census by the ‘Grandchildren Law’. But, apart from this, the course of the process will continue its normal course and for those who cannot go to the polls in person, Correos has opened the deadline for thousands of citizens to request their vote.
One of the advantages of voting by mail is that to request the documentation it is not necessary to go to the office and it can be requested electronically, after identifying the citizen. On its website, the public postal company chaired by Pedro Saura highlights that “Spanish people who decide to vote by mail can request until November 19 (inclusive) the certificate of registration in the corresponding Electoral Census.”
This is the first step and is mandatory to be able to move forward with the process. It can be ordered electronically from the Correos website or in person at the offices spread throughout Spain.
How to request a vote by mail
Voting by mail can be requested in two ways, either online or in person at the offices. To begin with, in the event that the procedure is carried out through a computer or electronic device, you will have to enter the Correos website (www.correos.es) and prove identity through a certificate or electronic signature or any other way as long as they are recognized by the Ministry of Industry. It is also valid, they explain, the electronic ID.
In the second case, when it is preferred to go to the offices to be attended to in person, the request will have to be made personally by each voter except in cases where they are suffering from an illness or have a disability (proven with a medical certificate) that does not allow them to make this request in person.
In this exception, it may be another person who attends as long as they have a power of attorney. Then, when the application is collected, you will have to prove your identity using your DNI, passport or driving license.
It is important to go to the office with a prior appointment if you want to avoid waiting, and as indicated on the Correos website, this can be obtained through the app, the website of the public postal company or the Virtual Office (Electronic Secretariat).
Deadlines to vote by Mail
Once the Post Office has the applications, they will go to the Provincial Delegations of the Electoral Census Office, which will then send them to the voters starting on November 9. The documentation will arrive at the address provided at the time of the request which, as the Post Office reminds you, does not have to be the same as your usual address.
The deadline to vote ends on November 25, 2026, four days before the elections and three days before the day of reflection.
The importance of voting by Mail
Data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) show an important change in trend in recent years regarding voting by mail. In 2000 there were few who opted for this modality, barely 1.5% and in 2004, it was still around the same figures (1.7%). The trend has been upward, either because it is more comfortable for certain groups such as older people or students, or because at the time of the elections there are already immovable plans such as a trip.
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In fact, on July 23, 2023, voting by mail was used by 6.6% of the electoral roll. On the same website of INE You can consult all the data and calendars related to these elections, such as, for example, a help service for consulting the electoral roll (municipalities and consulates) in addition to the resolutions of the different Electoral Boards.