Spain’s 29 November election: request postal voting by the 19 th, deposit by the 25 th

Spain’s domestic postal-voting timetable sets 19 November for applications and 25 November for depositing ballots at Correos offices ahead of the 29 November election.

It concerns eligible Spanish voters using the domestic procedure, not voting rights for ordinary tourists or one timetable for everyone abroad.

Requesting papers is not casting a vote

Correos opened applications on 6 October. The application deadline includes 19 November, while the ballot-envelope deposit deadline is 25 November. INE’s calendar confirms the distinction. Voters first request certification of their electoral registration and later use the delivered voting papers to submit a ballot. Completing the request does not complete the vote, so both stages need separate reminders.

Identity matters online and at the counter

Online applications through Correos require accepted electronic identification and signature, including electronic DNI. At a postal office, an original DNI, passport or driving licence is required. Illness or disability preventing a personal application has a representative route with official medical certification and notarised or consular authorisation; simply asking someone else is insufficient. The application gives the delivery address, which need not be the voter’s usual home.

A request changes the polling-day option

EFE’s 11 October explanation says that once the postal request is marked in the electoral register, the voter cannot vote personally at the assigned polling station, even if no postal ballot is ultimately sent. Identity checks also apply at deposit. EFE says ballots dropped into ordinary mailboxes are not validly cast through that route. Representative deposit has separate signed-authorisation and ID-copy requirements and should not be confused with representative application conditions.

Overseas voters must identify their category

The foreign ministry gives 31 October as the application deadline for voters temporarily abroad. Residents registered in CERA have separate postal and consular schedules. A CERA voter temporarily in Spain during the election process can, however, request domestic postal voting using the 19 th/25 th timetable. Individual registration, office hours and later electoral instructions still need checking. Direct access to EFE was restricted, but its original text was checked through the search tool. This article explains procedure rather than political allegations.

Primary source and independent checks

Official procedure: application on the 19 th, deposit by the 25 th and identity checks: Correos

Official calendar: domestic application and submission periods: INE

Official exceptions: overseas and CERA procedures: Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores

Independent explanation: double-voting safeguards and identity checks; original text checked through search after direct-access restriction: EFE

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