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What it is

Proposal to let 16-year-olds vote in Spain

Amendments step 3 of 7 · Unfinished

It is a members’ bill. Introduced by parliamentary groups, the Senate, regional governments or citizens. It was introduced on 26 February 2016. Introduced by: Grupo Parlamentario de Esquerra Republicana.

Official title: Private member's organic bill amending Organic Law 5/1985, of June 19, on the General Electoral Regime, to extend the right to active suffrage to those over 16 years of age.

Follow this law

Source: Congreso de los Diputados, file 122/000012· updated 11 Nov

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

  1. The bill's statement of reasons notes that 16- and 17-year-olds in Spain cannot vote, even though they can work, pay taxes, marry when emancipated, or make a will. It cites other countries that already allow voting at 16, such as Austria, Brazil, and Argentina.
  2. The bill would amend the electoral law so that the right to vote belongs to Spaniards over 16, instead of the current age of 18.
  3. It would also adjust the rules for polling station boards and the electoral roll: board members would be drawn by lot from people aged 16 to 65, and the roll would be updated to include people turning 16.
  4. If passed, the law would take effect three months after publication in the Official State Gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado).

Who it affects

  • Spaniards aged 16 and 17: Would be able to vote in elections if the proposal is approved.
  • People aged 16 to 65 registered in an electoral section: Could be drawn by lot for polling station boards starting at age 16.
  • City councils (Ayuntamientos): Would have to send the electoral roll the registrations and removals of residents aged 16 or over.

Words worth knowing

Sufragio activo
The right to vote in elections.
Mesa electoral
The group of people who run each polling station on election day and check the ballots.
Censo electoral
The official list of people who can vote in each election.
Proposición de Ley Orgánica
A bill introduced by a parliamentary group, not a passed law. An organic law (ley orgánica) is the type reserved for major matters, such as elections.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries

Where it stands

How far did it get?

It took 3 of 7 steps. It reached Amendments, and today it is unfinished.

  1. Introduced26 February 2016Someone registers the text in the Congreso.
  2. Admitted8 March 2016The Bureau of the Congreso accepts it and, for a members’ bill, the plenary decides whether to consider it.
  3. Amendments29 April 2016Groups propose changes.
  4. Committeenot reachedA committee goes through the text in detail.
  5. Plenarynot reachedAll 350 deputies vote.
  6. Senatenot reachedThe Senate can pass it, amend it or veto it.
  7. BOEnot reachedIt is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force.
See the 9 official steps on a timeline
Feb 2016Mar 2016Mar 2016Mar 2016Mar 2016Apr 2016Apr 2016Apr 2016Apr 2016Apr 201611. 26 February 2016: Presentación22. 8 March 2016: Boletín Oficial de las Cortes Generales Publicación desde 08/03/2016 hasta 11/03/201633. 8 March 2016: Calificación44. 11 March 2016: Gobierno Contestación desde 11/03/2016 hasta 12/04/201655. 12 April 2016: Pleno Toma en consideración desde 12/04/2016 hasta 19/04/201666. 19 April 2016: Mesa del Congreso Acuerdo subsiguiente a la toma en consideración desde 19/04/2016 hasta 27/04/201677. 27 April 2016: Comisión Constitucional Publicación desde 27/04/2016 hasta 29/04/201688. 29 April 2016: Comisión Constitucional Enmiendas desde 29/04/2016 hasta 03/05/201699. 3 May 2016: Concluido - (Caducado) desde 03/05/2016 hasta 20/05/2016

19 April 2016

How did the plenary vote?

More votes in favour 174 yes · 144 no · 6 abst.

Voted on: Private Member's Bill of the Republican Left Parliamentary Group, by which Organic Law 5/1985, of 19 June, on the General Electoral Regime is amended to extend the right of active suffrage to those over 16 years old (Organic).

Source: Congreso de los Diputados, vote 2 of sitting 10· updated 10 Nov

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Your province

How did the deputies from your province vote?

And your senators: the Senate does not link its votes to this law in its open data, so we cannot put them side by side here.

Or see how most of each province voted
More details: how each group and each province voted

The groups

Who voted in favour and who against?

In favour, most of Socialista, Mixto, Gc-dl, GER and Gp-ec-em. Against, most of Ciudadanos and Popular en el Congreso. 4 deputies voted differently from their group.

By province: in 17 most voted in favour; in 17, against.

Coloured by how most of each province’s deputies voted.

  • In favour: 17
  • Against: 17
  • Tie: 17
Result by parliamentary group
GroupSeatsHow it voted
Socialista89
85 in favour · 4 did not vote
Vasco (EAJ-PNV)6
6 abst.
Mixto14
9 in favour · 4 against · 1 did not vote
Ciudadanos40
37 against · 3 did not vote
Gc-dl8
7 in favour · 1 did not vote
GER9
9 in favour
Gp-ec-em65
64 in favour · 1 did not vote
Popular en el Congreso119
103 against · 16 did not vote

What happens next

What happens now?

The legislature ended before it finished. To go on, someone would have to introduce it again in the new Cortes.

It was presented again:

Sources

Where does all this come from?

  • The data comes from the open files of the Congreso, the Senate and the BOE, unaltered.
  • Each deputy’s province is the one of their seat on the day of the vote.
  • We only say “passed” or “rejected” when the majority needed is certain; otherwise we say which side had more votes.

Read the full method · Report an error