The general elections on November 29, 2026 are getting closer and closer and many citizens wonder if they will have to be part of an electoral polling station. Being chosen for this task is not voluntary, so it is convenient to know the dates of the draw, how the designation is communicated, and what options exist to request an exemption.
The electoral calendar already establishes the deadlines for choosing the members of the polling stations. Therefore, the last days of October and the first week of November will be important for those who want to know if they will have to go to their polling station to participate in the organization of the vote.
When will I know if I have been assigned to an electoral polling station in the 2026 elections?
The draws to choose the presidents, members, and substitutes of the polling stations will be held between October 31 and November 4, both included. This is established by the calendar of the general elections on 29-N, officially called by means of the royal decree published in the Official State Gazette (BOE).
Each city council will decide on which date to hold the draw within that period. Therefore, not all citizens will know their designation at the same time. Once the draw has been held, the city councils have three days to officially communicate the appointment to the selected people, in accordance with the Organic Law of the General Electoral Regime (LOREG). Notifications are usually delivered to the home and explain the functions that each person must perform during election day.
In some municipalities, it is also possible to consult information about the draw through the city council's website or its electronic headquarters. However, there is no single state search engine that allows checking all designations. Therefore, those who want to clear up doubts before receiving the notification can consult the official channels of their municipality. Not having received a letter during the first few days also does not mean that the person has not been selected.
Who can be chosen and how can you get out of an electoral polling station?
The election of the members of an electoral board is carried out through a public draw among the people included in the census who meet the legal requirements. To be president or member, it is necessary to know how to read and write and be between 18 and 69 years old. In addition, to serve as president, a specific academic qualification is required. The selected people are obliged to attend on election day, unless there is a legal cause that allows them to be exempt. Those between 65 and 69 years old can renounce the appointment due to age.
If a designated person considers that they cannot fulfill this responsibility, they have seven days from receiving the notification to present allegations before the Zone Electoral Board. This body will be responsible for studying the documentation and deciding whether to accept or reject the request. Among the possible justified causes are certain health problems, disability situations, some family responsibilities, and certain professional obligations. In any case, it is necessary to prove the alleged reason, and the decision depends on the circumstances provided in the electoral regulations.
Not attending the polling station without a legitimate cause can have legal consequences. Therefore, if you receive the notification, it is important to review the deadlines and submit the necessary documentation within the established period.
