In general, voting is universal, free, equal, direct and secret. Voting in Spain is not mandatory, therefore sanctions are not imposed on those who do not vote, even though they have previously declared their desire to do so.
Voting is performed in Polling Stations (Colegios Electorales), which in turn are composed of Sections and Tables (Sección and Mesa).
On the day of voting, voters should go to the Polling Station, Station and Table indicated to them on their voting card between 9am and 8pm.
The polling card is a document showing the current information listed on the Electoral Roll and identifying the Section and Table for each voter. It is important to note that this polling card does not identify the voter. Voters must therefore use one of the documents, which must be original, that is indicated in electoral legislation:
*Identity card
*Passport
*Driving licence (with photograph)
Polling Stations will have paper slips with the names of all of the candidates and voting envelopes, and booths to preserve confidentiality while making a choice. Voters approach the electoral table one by one, with their voting slips in the corresponding envelopes and give their names and surnames to the president of the table, proving their identity by any of the documents above.
Any voter included in the Electoral Roll can be selected by draw to be on an Electoral Table, in which case the Administration is responsible for providing suitable training. Attending as a member of an electoral table is mandatory. Not complying with this obligation without justification will give rise to the imposition of a sanction. A citizen of nationality other than Spanish must demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge of Spanish to the Local Council Secretary, otherwise they will be replaced.
