Voting in the local elections? Here's how to go about it

A quick guide on how to register at town halls to vote in the May elections

BRITISH citizens living in Spain are to keep their right to vote in local elections after the governments of both countries signed a bilateral agreement – but people wishing to take part must register at town halls.

A new agreement, the Voting Rights Treaty, has been agreed between London and Madrid ahead of Brexit; the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union on March 29 this year – it also allows British expats to stand as local councillors.

To vote in local elections – UK citizens cannot take part in general or regional elections – expats must ensure they are listed on both the town hall register and the electoral roll in the municipality where they live.

Joining the register to vote – the ‘Censo Electoral’ – is a formal declaration of a wish to take part in the democratic process.

Residents must be on the list before the January 30 deadline; it is advised people who believe they are registered should check their names remain on the polling census.

This week, the British Embassy in Madrid announced on Facebook page ‘Brits in Spain’: “The Voting Rights Treaty between Britain and Spain has been signed.

If you are a British national living in Spain you will be able to continue to vote and stand in local elections in any scenario. Remember to register by January 30 to vote in the next local elections.”

To vote, people must be listed on the ‘padron’, the municipal register at a town hall, and have registered to vote by joining the ‘censo electoral’, the local electoral roll

It is possible to join the padron – it is a legal requirement - and complete a simple form to register as a voter at the same time.

Anyone with any doubts they are listed on both registers are advised to check at their local town hall ahead of the deadline.

The documentation needed to join the municipal register is an original and photocopy of a passport, and a certificate of the Central Register of Residents (the green paper or plastic resident’s certificate) if one is held.

Further, applicants should take the title deeds of their property, the ‘escritura’; or a rental contract, or an authorisation of the owner of the property together with a photocopy of their passport, or identity card, or a utility bill bearing the owner’s name.

Spanish town halls periodically update the list of citizens registered with them and will remove names if they are unable to confirm people still live in the town - a reason for people to check their status.