Grouping of electors explained

Grouping of electors is a group of citizens temporarily associated with the goal of presenting a candidature to a particular election. It is a format that a candidature can use to participate in a given election not having a political party.

Spain

According to the Spanish electoral law, a (Spanish: agrupación de electores) a candidature must present a minimum number of signatures relative to the electoral census.^{[1] [2]} Given its temporary nature, if the promoters wanted to use the grouping for another election, the latter must be re-constituted. Unlike political parties, party federations or electoral coalitions, a grouping of electors cannot profit from public electoral funding from a preceding candidature.

Signatures

• Municipal elections

As established in the Art. 192 of the electoral law, the required number of signatures depends on the size of the municipality:

• • Under 5,000 inhabitants, the number of signatures must be no less than the 1% of voters as long as the number of signataries is over the double of electable councillors.
  • Between 5,001 and 10,000 inhabitants, at least 100 signatures
  • Between 10,001 and 50,000 inhabitants, at least 500 signatures
  • Between 50,001 and 150,000 inhabitants, at least 1,500 signatures
  • Between 150,001 and 300,000 inhabitants, at least 3,000 signatures
  • Between 300,001 and 1,000,000 inhabitants, at least 5,000 signatures
  • In larger areas, at least 8,000 signatures
• General elections

For a group of electors to compete in a given general election, they must present a minimum number of signatures, amounting to 1% of the electors in the electoral district (which correspond to each province and Ceuta and Melilla).

• European elections

For a group of electors to compete in a given election to the European Parliament, they must present a minimum of 15,000 signatures.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Las agrupaciones de electores como forma de participación política en el sistema electoral español: garantías y límites del derecho de sufragio pasivo. Marta. León Alonso. Universidad Veracruzana. Letras jurídicas: revista de los investigadores del Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas U. V.. Xalapa. 1665-1529. 21. 2010. 139–166.
2. Qué es una agrupación de electores, la fórmula de Carmena para volver a presentarse. El País. Verne. 2018-09-09. Emilio. Sánchez Hidalgo.
3. Boletín Oficial del Estado. Ley Orgánica 5/1985, de 19 de junio, del Régimen Electoral General (consolidated version). 2018-09-10.