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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{short description|Political elections for public offices in Chile}}
{{Politics of Chile}}
{{Politics of Chile}}
'''Elections in Chile''' are held nationwide, including the presidency, parliament, regional offices, and municipal positions. Chilean citizens and foreign residents with legal residency of at least five years, who are 18 years or older on election day, are eligible to vote. Previously, voting was voluntary, but since 2023, it has become [[Compulsory voting|compulsory]].
'''Chile''' holds nationwide presidential, parliamentary, regional and municipal '''elections'''.


Presidential elections are held to select the [[Head of state|chief of state]] and [[head of government]] for a four-year term, allowing for non-consecutive re-election. Candidates can be nominated by political parties or run as independent candidates, requiring a specific number of signatures. Parliamentary elections follow a system of [[proportional representation]], and the country's [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] [[National Congress of Chile|Congress]] consists of a [[Chamber of Deputies of Chile|Chamber of Deputies]] and a [[Senate of Chile|Senate]]. The electoral system for parliamentary elections underwent reforms in 2017, which changed the number of electoral districts and senatorial constituencies.
The electoral process is supervised by the Electoral Service ({{lang|es|Servicio Electoral}}, or Servel), which is independent from the government. Winners are officially proclaimed by the Election Examining Tribunal (''Tribunal Calificador de Elecciones''), which is composed of four members of Chile's [[Supreme Court of Chile|Supreme Court]] and one former legislator chosen by the Court.<ref name="constitution"/>

Regional and municipal elections also occur, with [[Direct election|direct elections]] determining regional boards and mayors. [[Referendum|Referendums]], both national and local, are part of Chile's electoral system. The country conducts [[Partisan primary|primaries]], both legal and extralegal, to select candidates for various positions. The voting process is conducted in-person and requires a [[Identity document|national identity card]] or [[passport]].

The independent [[Electoral Service]] (Servicio Electoral or Servel) oversees the electoral process, with the winners being declared by the [[Election Certification Court]].


==Schedule==
==Schedule==
Line 54: Line 58:


==Electorate==
==Electorate==
⚫
All citizens of [[Chile]] as well as foreigners residing legally in Chile for at least five years, who are at least 18 years of age on the day of the election, are eligible to vote. Following a change to electoral law enacted in 2012, all eligible Chilean citizens are automatically registered to vote and voting is voluntary.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Barnes|first=Tiffany D.|last2=Rangel|first2=Gabriela|date=2014-12|title=Election Law Reform in Chile: The Implementation of Automatic Registration and Voluntary Voting|url=http://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/elj.2013.0205|journal=Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy|language=en|volume=13|issue=4|pages=570–582|doi=10.1089/elj.2013.0205|issn=1533-1296}}</ref> Previously, voter registration was voluntary, but voting was [[Compulsory voting|compulsory]] for registered voters. Since 2014 Chileans have been allowed to vote overseas in presidential elections (including primaries) and referendums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1061853|title=LEY-20748 03-MAY-2014 MINISTERIO SECRETARÍA GENERAL DE LA PRESIDENCIA - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional|date=3 May 2014|website=leychile.cl}}</ref>


⚫
Citizens of [[Chile]] and foreign residents with legal residency of at least five years who are 18 years or older on election day are eligible to vote. All eligible citizens are automatically registered,<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Barnes|first1=Tiffany D.|last2=Rangel|first2=Gabriela|date=December 2014|title=Election Law Reform in Chile: The Implementation of Automatic Registration and Voluntary Voting|url=http://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/elj.2013.0205|journal=Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy|language=en|volume=13|issue=4|pages=570–582|doi=10.1089/elj.2013.0205|issn=1533-1296}}</ref> and voting is [[Compulsory voting|compulsory]]. Between 2012 and 2023, voting was voluntary. Since 2014, Chileans have been able to vote overseas in presidential elections (including primaries) and referendums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1061853|title=LEY-20748 03-MAY-2014 MINISTERIO SECRETARÍA GENERAL DE LA PRESIDENCIA - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional|date=3 May 2014|website=leychile.cl}}</ref>
⚫
==Presidential elections==
⚫
{{for|the last presidential election|2017 Chilean general election}}


⚫
==Presidential elections==
⚫
Presidential elections elect a [[President of Chile|president]], who serves as [[chief of state]] and [[head of government]] for a period of four years.<ref name="constitution"/> Perpetual non-consecutive reelection is permitted.<ref name="constitution">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=242302 Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref>
⚫
{{for|the most recent presidential election|2021 Chilean presidential election}}


⚫
Presidential elections elect a [[President of Chile|president]] who serves as the [[chief of state]] and [[head of government]] for a period of four years.<ref name="constitution"/> Non-consecutive re-election is permitted.<ref name="constitution">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=242302 Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref>
⚫
The president is [[direct election|directly elected]] by an [[absolute majority]] of valid votes (excluding [[Spoilt vote|null votes]] and [[Protest vote|blank votes]]). If no candidate obtains such a majority, a [[Two-round system|runoff election]] is held between the two candidates with the most votes.<ref name="constitution"/> Before 1989, the president was confirmed by Congress if elected by a [[majority|simple majority]].


⚫
The president is [[direct election|directly elected]] by an [[absolute majority]] of valid votes (excluding [[Spoilt vote|null]] and [[Protest vote|blank votes]]). If no candidate obtains such a majority, a [[Two-round system|runoff election]] is held between the two candidates with the most votes.<ref name="constitution"/> Before 1989, the president was confirmed by Congress if elected by a [[majority|simple majority]].
⚫
Each legally operating political party may register one of its members as candidate. Independent candidates are required to gain the support of a number of independent electors prior to registering their candidacy. The number of signatures needed is equal to at least 0.5% of the number of people who last voted in the Chamber of Deputies election, nationwide.<ref name="electorallaw">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idLey=18700 Organic Constitutional Law on Popular Elections and Vote Counting]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref> For the 2013 election, the number was 36,318 signatures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latercera.com/noticia/politica/2013/08/674-538592-9-con-numero-record-de-candidatos-presidenciales-servel-cierra-inscripciones.shtml|title=Con número récord de candidatos presidenciales Servel cierra inscripciones|website=latercera.com}}</ref>


⚫
Each legally operating political party may nominate one of its members as a candidate. Independent candidates must gain the support of a number of independent electors before registering their candidacy. The number of signatures needed is equal to at least 0.5% of the number of people who voted in the most recent Chamber of Deputies election.<ref name="electorallaw">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idLey=18700 Organic Constitutional Law on Popular Elections and Vote Counting]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref> For the 2013 election, the number was 36,318 signatures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latercera.com/noticia/politica/2013/08/674-538592-9-con-numero-record-de-candidatos-presidenciales-servel-cierra-inscripciones.shtml|title=Con número récord de candidatos presidenciales Servel cierra inscripciones|website=latercera.com}}</ref>
According to the Constitution, presidential elections take place on the third Sunday of November of the year before the [[incumbent]] president's term expires. A runoff election —if necessary— takes place on the fourth Sunday following the election. The president is sworn in on the day the incumbent president's term expires.<ref name="constitution"/> Since 1990 that day has been March 11.


Before 2011 presidential elections took place 90 days before the incumbent president's term expired. If that day was not a Sunday, the election was moved to the next Sunday. A runoff election —if necessary— took place 30 days after the first election. The Sunday rule was also observed. Since 1990 the president has taken office on March 11; thus, elections took place on or after December 11 of the previous year.
According to the Constitution, presidential elections take place on the third Sunday of November in the year before the current president's term expires. If necessary, a runoff election is held on the fourth Sunday following the first election. The president is sworn in on the day the incumbent president's term expires.<ref name="constitution"/>


Before 2011, presidential elections were held 90 days before the current president's term expired. If that day was not a Sunday, the election was moved to the following Sunday. If necessary, a runoff election was held 30 days after the first election, following the Sunday rule. Since 1990, the president has taken office on March 11, so elections were held on or after December 11 of the previous year.
Elections were last held on [[2017 Chilean general election|19 November 2017]].


==Parliamentary elections==
==Parliamentary elections==
{{for|the last parliamentary election|2017 Chilean general election}}
{{for|the most recent parliamentary election|2021 Chilean general election}}


===Electoral system until 2017===
===Electoral system until 2017===


Chile's bicameral Congress consists of a [[Chamber of Deputies of Chile|Chamber of Deputies]] (lower house) and a [[Senate of Chile|Senate]] (upper house).<ref name="constitution"/> The country is divided into 60 electoral districts for the lower house and 19 senatorial constituencies for the Senate. (''See'' [[Electoral divisions of Chile]] ''for details.'') Each electoral district and senatorial constituency [[Direct election|directly elects]] two representatives.<ref name="electorallaw"/> That is, 120 deputies and 38 senators, in total. Chile was the only country in the world with two-seat electoral districts nationwide.<ref name="cieplan">{{cite web|url=http://www.cieplan.org/biblioteca/detalle.tpl?id=184|title=Ingeniería electoral: ¿qué nos muestran las investigaciones académicas sobre los efectos anticipados de las reformas electorales?|trans-title=Electoral engineering: What do academic research tell us about the anticipated effects of the electoral reforms?|work=Fortalecimiento de la Democracia: Reforma del Sistema Electoral Chileno / Chapter 8|page=234|author=Carey, John M|year=2009|language=es|access-date=2011-12-25}}</ref>
Chile's bicameral Congress is composed of a [[Chamber of Deputies of Chile|Chamber of Deputies]] (the lower house) and a [[Senate of Chile|Senate]] (the upper house).<ref name="constitution"/> The country is divided into 60 electoral districts for the Chamber of Deputies and 19 senatorial constituencies for the Senate. (''See'' [[Electoral divisions of Chile]] ''for details.'') Each electoral district and senatorial constituency [[Direct election|directly elects]] two representatives,<ref name="electorallaw"/> totaling 120 deputies and 38 senators. Chile is unique in that it was the only country in the world with nationwide two-seat electoral districts.<ref name="cieplan">{{cite web|url=http://www.cieplan.org/biblioteca/detalle.tpl?id=184|title=Ingeniería electoral: ¿qué nos muestran las investigaciones académicas sobre los efectos anticipados de las reformas electorales?|trans-title=Electoral engineering: What do academic research tell us about the anticipated effects of the electoral reforms?|work=Fortalecimiento de la Democracia: Reforma del Sistema Electoral Chileno / Chapter 8|page=234|author=Carey, John M|year=2009|language=es|access-date=2011-12-25}}</ref>


Deputies serve for four years and senators for eight years. Both deputies and senators may seek reelection indefinitely. Half the Senate is renewed every four years.<ref name="constitution"/> In the first Senate after the restoration of democracy in 1990, senators from odd-numbered regions served for four years (1990–1994), while senators from even-numbered regions plus the [[Santiago Metropolitan Region]] served for eight years (1990–1998). The senators from odd-numbered regions elected in 1993 served the usual eight years (1994–2002).<!-- The newly elected Congress is sworn in on the same day as the President of the Republic, usually a few hours earlier.-->
Deputies serve a four-year term and senators serve an eight-year term. Both deputies and senators are eligible for unlimited reelection. Every four years, half the Senate is replaced.<ref name="constitution"/> In the first Senate after the restoration of democracy in 1990, senators from odd-numbered regions served a four-year term (1990–1994), while senators from even-numbered regions and the [[Santiago Metropolitan Region]] served an eight-year term (1990–1998). The senators from odd-numbered regions elected in 1993 served the standard eight-year term (1994–2002).<!-- The newly elected Congress is sworn in on the same day as the President of the Republic, usually a few hours earlier.-->


The Constitution establishes that parliamentary elections will be held in conjunction with presidential elections.<ref name="constitution"/>
According to the Constitution, parliamentary elections must be held in conjunction with presidential elections.<ref name="constitution"/>


Candidates may register their candidacy with the backing of either a political party or of a group of citizens. In the former case, party affiliation is not mandatory for the candidates. In the latter case, candidates must not be affiliated with any political party and are required to collect a number of signatures. The signatures needed are at least 0.5% of the turnout of the last Chamber of Deputies election in that electoral district (if running for a lower-chamber seat) or last Senate election in that senatorial constituency (if running for a Senate seat), and they must come from independent electors.<ref name="electorallaw"/>
Candidates may register with either the support of a political party or a group of citizens. Party affiliation is optional for candidates supported by a political party, but candidates supported by a group of citizens must not be affiliated with any political party and must collect signatures from independent electors. The number of signatures required is at least 0.5% of the total votes cast in the last Chamber of Deputies election in that electoral district (for a lower-chamber seat) or last Senate election in that senatorial constituency (for a Senate seat).<ref name="electorallaw"/>


The law allows two or more political parties to ally one another to create "pacts". Pacts may present up to two candidates per electoral district or senatorial constituency. It is not mandatory for the candidates to be affiliated with any of the political parties forming the pact, but they cannot be affiliated with a political party outside the pact.<ref name="electorallaw"/>
Two or more political parties can form an alliance, known as a "pact," to present up to two candidates per electoral district or senatorial constituency. The candidates do not have to be affiliated with any of the parties in the pact, but they cannot be affiliated with a political party outside of the pact.<ref name="electorallaw"/>


Political parties not integrating a pact may present up to two candidates per electoral district or senatorial constituency. In this case, the candidates must be affiliated with that party.<ref name="electorallaw"/>
Political parties that are not part of a pact may present up to two candidates per electoral district or senatorial constituency, and the candidates must be affiliated with that party.<ref name="electorallaw"/>


For every electoral district and senatorial constituency election the two political entities [either a) a pact, b) a political party not integrating a pact, or c) an independent candidate not integrating a pact] receiving the most votes are awarded one seat each, with the leading candidate within each entity taking the seat. To win both seats, the leading entity must out poll the second leading entity by a margin of at least 2-to-1.<ref name="electorallaw"/> This is a rare use of the [[D'Hondt method]], with only two seats allocated per electoral division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icp.uc.cl/daltman/index_archivos/Altman-2004-Revista%20de%20Ciencia%20Pol%C3%ADtica%2024%20(2)%2049-66.pdf|title=Redibujando el Mapa Electoral Chileno: Incidencia de Factores Socioeconómicos y Género en las Urnas|author=Altman, David|publisher=Instituto de Ciencia Política, [[Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile]]|work=Revista de Ciencia Política / Vol. XXIV / Nº 2|year=2004|access-date=2010-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707012224/http://www.icp.uc.cl/daltman/index_archivos/Altman-2004-Revista%20de%20Ciencia%20Pol%C3%ADtica%2024%20(2)%2049-66.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-07|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="flacso">{{cite web|url=http://www.flacso.cl/publicaciones_ficha.php?publicacion_id=354|title=Una reforma necesaria: Efectos del sistema binominal|edition=2nd|trans-title=A necessary reform: Effects of the binomial system|work=[[Latin American Social Sciences Institute|FLACSO Chile]]|author=Fuentes S., Claudio and Marcela Ríos T.|ISBN=978-956-205-215-3|date=January 2007|location=Santiago|pages=17, 32|language=es|access-date=2011-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423115927/http://www.flacso.cl/publicaciones_ficha.php?publicacion_id=354|archive-date=2012-04-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In each electoral district and senatorial constituency election, the two entities (pact, political party not part of a pact, or independent candidate not part of a pact) with the most votes each receive one seat, with the leading candidate in each entity taking the seat. To win both seats, the leading entity must receive at least two times as many votes as the second-leading entity.<ref name="electorallaw"/> This is a rare application of the D'Hondt method, as only two seats are allocated per electoral division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icp.uc.cl/daltman/index_archivos/Altman-2004-Revista%20de%20Ciencia%20Pol%C3%ADtica%2024%20(2)%2049-66.pdf|title=Redibujando el Mapa Electoral Chileno: Incidencia de Factores Socioeconómicos y Género en las Urnas|author=Altman, David|publisher=Instituto de Ciencia Política, [[Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile]]|work=Revista de Ciencia Política / Vol. XXIV / Nº 2|year=2004|access-date=2010-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707012224/http://www.icp.uc.cl/daltman/index_archivos/Altman-2004-Revista%20de%20Ciencia%20Pol%C3%ADtica%2024%20(2)%2049-66.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-07|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="flacso">{{cite book|url=http://www.flacso.cl/publicaciones_ficha.php?publicacion_id=354|title=Una reforma necesaria: Efectos del sistema binominal|edition=2nd|trans-title=A necessary reform: Effects of the binomial system|work=[[Latin American Social Sciences Institute|FLACSO Chile]]|author=Fuentes S., Claudio and Marcela Ríos T.|isbn=978-956-205-215-3|date=January 2007|location=Santiago|pages=17, 32|language=es|access-date=2011-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423115927/http://www.flacso.cl/publicaciones_ficha.php?publicacion_id=354|archive-date=2012-04-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Last parliamentary elections were held on [[2021 Chilean general election|November 21, 2021]].


====Criticism====
====Criticism====
{{see also|Gerrymandering#Chile}}
{{see also|Gerrymandering#Chile}}


This [[binomial voting system]] was established by the military dictatorship that ruled the country until 1990, limiting the [[Proportional representation|proportional system]] in place until 1973 to two seats per district/constituency. [[Gerrymandering]] was employed in the drawing of electoral districts to favor the rightist parties, with a positive bias towards the traditionally more conservative rural areas of the country. The vote/seat ratio was lower in districts that supported [[Augusto Pinochet|Pinochet]] in the [[1988 Chilean national plebiscite|1988 plebiscite]] and higher in those with the strongest opposition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cepchile.cl/dms/archivo_1320_1445/rev43_valenzuela.pdf|title=Ley electoral y estabilidad democrática: Un ejercicio de simulación para el caso de Chile|work=Estudios Públicos Nº 43|page=39|publisher=[[Centro de Estudios Públicos]]|author=Valenzuela, Arturo and Peter Siavelis|year=1991|location=Santiago|language=es|access-date=2011-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119182939/http://www.cepchile.cl/dms/archivo_1320_1445/rev43_valenzuela.pdf|archive-date=2012-01-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also, none of the newly created districts had either side in the plebiscite outpolled by the other by more than 2 to 1. The authoritarian regime also made it very difficult to change the system, as a three-fifths majority of both chambers is needed to modify it.<ref name="constitution"/>
This [[binomial voting system]] was established by the military dictatorship that ruled Chile until 1990, limiting the [[Proportional representation|proportional system]] in place until 1973 to two seats per district or constituency. The dictatorship used [[gerrymandering]] to create electoral districts that favored rightist parties, with a positive bias towards the more conservative rural areas of the country. The vote-to-seat ratio was lower in districts that supported [[Augusto Pinochet|Pinochet]] in the [[1988 Chilean national plebiscite|1988 plebiscite]] and higher in those with the strongest opposition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cepchile.cl/dms/archivo_1320_1445/rev43_valenzuela.pdf|title=Ley electoral y estabilidad democrática: Un ejercicio de simulación para el caso de Chile|work=Estudios Públicos Nº 43|page=39|publisher=[[Centro de Estudios Públicos]]|author=Valenzuela, Arturo and Peter Siavelis|year=1991|location=Santiago|language=es|access-date=2011-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119182939/http://www.cepchile.cl/dms/archivo_1320_1445/rev43_valenzuela.pdf|archive-date=2012-01-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> None of the newly created districts had a margin of more than 2-to-1 in the plebiscite. The authoritarian regime also made it difficult to change the system, requiring a three-fifths majority in both chambers to modify it.<ref name="constitution"/>


Members of the [[Concert of Parties for Democracy]] believe the system undermines their majority in Congress and exaggerates the representation of the right.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?pid=S0718-090X2006000100016&script=sci_arttext|title=Las virtudes del sistema binominal|trans-title=The Virtues of the Binomial System|work=Revista de Ciencia Política / Vol. 26 / Nº 1|pages=226–235|author=Carey, John M.|ISSN=0718-090X|year=2006|location=Santiago|language=es|access-date=2011-11-26}}</ref> The right views the system as necessary for the country's stability,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/2011/10/26/509991/coloma-defiende-el-sistema-binominal-ha-dado-estabilidad-a-chile.html |title=Coloma defiende el sistema binominal: "Ha dado estabilidad a Chile" |publisher=Emol.com |access-date=2011-10-27}}</ref><ref name="sciencespo">{{cite web|url=http://www.opalc.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=328:chili--systeme-electoral&catid=131:systemes-electoraux-et-legislations&Itemid=208|title=Chili : Système électoral|work=Observatoire Politique de l'Amérique latine et des Caraïbes de [[Sciences Po]] - Opalc.|year=2009|access-date=2011-11-26}}</ref> and to encourage the creation of large coalitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?pid=S0718-090X2004000100003&script=sci_arttext|title=Sistema electoral, desintegración de coaliciones y democracia en Chile: ¿El fin de la Concertación?|work=Revista de Ciencia Política / Vol. XXIV / N° 1|pages=58–80|author=Siavelis, Peter|ISSN=0718-090X|year=2004|location=Santiago|language=es|access-date=2011-11-26}}</ref> The left sees the system as undemocratic,<ref name="sciencespo"/> denying representation to candidates outside the two main coalitions.<ref name="cieplan"/>
Members of the [[Concert of Parties for Democracy]] believe that the system undermines their majority in Congress and exaggerates the representation of the right.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?pid=S0718-090X2006000100016&script=sci_arttext|title=Las virtudes del sistema binominal|trans-title=The Virtues of the Binomial System|work=Revista de Ciencia Política / Vol. 26 / Nº 1|pages=226–235|author=Carey, John M.|issn=0718-090X|year=2006|location=Santiago|language=es|access-date=2011-11-26}}</ref> The right views the system as necessary for the country's stability<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/2011/10/26/509991/coloma-defiende-el-sistema-binominal-ha-dado-estabilidad-a-chile.html |title=Coloma defiende el sistema binominal: "Ha dado estabilidad a Chile" |publisher=Emol.com |access-date=2011-10-27}}</ref><ref name="sciencespo">{{cite web|url=http://www.opalc.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=328:chili--systeme-electoral&catid=131:systemes-electoraux-et-legislations&Itemid=208|title=Chili : Système électoral|work=Observatoire Politique de l'Amérique latine et des Caraïbes de [[Sciences Po]] - Opalc.|year=2009|access-date=2011-11-26}}</ref> and to encourage the creation of large coalitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?pid=S0718-090X2004000100003&script=sci_arttext|title=Sistema electoral, desintegración de coaliciones y democracia en Chile: ¿El fin de la Concertación?|work=Revista de Ciencia Política / Vol. XXIV / N° 1|pages=58–80|author=Siavelis, Peter|issn=0718-090X|year=2004|location=Santiago|language=es|access-date=2011-11-26}}</ref> The left sees the system as undemocratic,<ref name="sciencespo"/> denying representation to candidates outside the two main coalitions.<ref name="cieplan"/>


===Changes to electoral system in 2017===
===Changes to electoral system in 2017===


A law reforming the electoral system was published in May 2015. It decreases the number of electoral districts to 28 (formed by merging current districts) as well as the number of senatorial constituencies to 15 (one for each region). Each electoral district elects between three and eight deputies, while each region elects between two and five senators. The number of lawmakers is increased in each chamber, to 155 in the lower chamber, and to 50 in the Senate. The [[D'Hondt method]] continues to be used to determine the winners. The new system debuted in the 2017 general elections<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1077039|title=LEY-20840 05-MAY-2015 MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR Y SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional|date=5 May 2015|website=leychile.cl}}</ref> and significantly changed the makeup of Congress.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sajuria|first=Javier|title=Analysis {{!}} Chile just went to the polls — and transformed its legislature|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/11/21/chile-just-went-to-the-polls-and-transformed-its-legislature/|access-date=2020-07-11|website=Washington Post|language=en}}</ref>
A law reforming the electoral system was published in May 2015. It decreased the number of electoral districts to 28, which were formed by merging existing districts, and reduced the number of senatorial constituencies to 15, with one for each region. Each electoral district elects between three and eight deputies, while each region elects between two and five senators. The number of lawmakers in each chamber was increased, to 155 in the lower chamber, and 50 in the Senate. The [[D'Hondt method]] remains in use to determine the winners. The new system was introduced in the 2017 general elections<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1077039|title=LEY-20840 05-MAY-2015 MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR Y SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional|date=5 May 2015|website=leychile.cl}}</ref> and significantly changed the composition of Congress.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sajuria|first=Javier|title=Analysis {{!}} Chile just went to the polls — and transformed its legislature|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/11/21/chile-just-went-to-the-polls-and-transformed-its-legislature/|access-date=2020-07-11|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en}}</ref>


==Regional elections==
==Regional elections==


Each region in Chile is governed by a directly-elected regional governor (''gobernador regional''), chosen through a [[Two-round system|two-round election]], unless a candidate secures a minimum of 40% of the vote in the initial round. The governor is supported by a board consisting of regional advisors (''consejeros regionales'' or ''Cores''), who are also elected directly.
:''Note: This section is outdated. The regional boards were directly elected on 17 November 2013 for a period of four years starting on 11 March 2014.''

Each region in Chile is governed by an Intendant (''Intendente''), who is appointed by the president of the Republic, assisted by a regional board, made up of a number of advisers (''consejeros'').


The regional governor serves a four-year term with the possibility of one immediate reelection. Advisors serve four-year terms and are restricted to two consecutive reelections. The number of advisors is proportional to the region's population and area in relation to the country.<ref name="constitution" />
Advisers are elected by each region's municipal councilmen, who form [[electoral college]]s per regional province. Each region is allotted two advisers per province plus 10 more in regions with up to 1 million inhabitants or 14 more in regions with over 1 million people. These additional advisers are apportioned to provinces in relation to their share of the regional population in the latest census using the [[D'Hondt method]]. The winners within each province are those who obtain the most votes. However, if within a province, two or more candidates decide to run together as a list, then the winners are decided using the D'Hondt method.<ref name="regionalgovlaw">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=243771 Organic Constitutional Law on Regional Administration and Governance]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref>


The position of regional governor was first directly elected in May 2021. Prior to that, the regional government was led by an Intendant (''Intendente''), appointed by the President of the Republic. Regional advisors were first directly elected in November 2013.
Advisers serve four-year terms and can be reelected indefinitely. Elections take place 15 days after the councilmen take office. The newly elected advisers are sworn in 60 days after their election.<ref name="regionalgovlaw"/> The last election took place on December 21, 2008, and the elected advisers took office on 19 February 2009.


=== Electoral reform ===
In October 2009, the Constitution was modified to allow advisers to be directly elected by universal suffrage. Advisers will serve for four years with the possibility of reelection. The number of advisers will be proportional to the region's population and area in relation to the country.<ref name="constitution"/> The law regulating regional administrations has not been modified to reflect this change, so the date when the first such election will take place is uncertain.
In October 2009, the Constitution was modified to allow regional advisors to be elected directly through universal suffrage.<ref name="constitution" /> In June 2013, a law regulated the direct election of regional advisors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nacional |first=Biblioteca del Congreso |title=Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional {{!}} Ley Chile |url=https://www.bcn.cl/leychile |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=www.bcn.cl/leychile |language=es}}</ref> Previously, regional advisors were elected by municipal council members in each region, forming [[electoral college]]s for each provincial region. Each region was allocated two advisors per province, with an additional 10 advisors in regions with up to 1 million inhabitants or 14 more in regions with over 1 million residents. These additional advisors were distributed among provinces based on their proportion of the regional population in the latest census, using the [[D'Hondt method]]. The candidate who received the most votes within each province was declared the winner. However, if two or more candidates ran as a list within a province, the winners were determined using the D'Hondt method.<ref name="regionalgovlaw">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=243771 Organic Constitutional Law on Regional Administration and Governance]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref> Advisors served four-year terms and could be reelected indefinitely. Elections took place 15 days after the councilmen took office, and the newly elected advisors were sworn in 60 days after their election.<ref name="regionalgovlaw" />


In December 2012, a temporary article was added to the Constitution suspending the election that was to take place on 21 December 2012 and extending the mandate of the incumbent advisers to 11 March 2014. The same article states that the advisers's first direct election will take place on 17 November 2013 (to coincide with the [[2013 Chilean presidential election|presidential and parliamentary election]]), as long as the necessary changes to the law are published before 20 July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1046748&idParte=&idVersion=2012-12-15|title=LEY-20644 15-DIC-2012 MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR Y SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA, SUBSECRETARÍA DE DESARROLLO REGIONAL Y ADMINISTRATIVO - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional|date=15 December 2012|website=leychile.cl}}</ref>
In December 2012, a temporary article was added to the Constitution, suspending the election scheduled for December 21, 2012, and extending the mandate of the incumbent advisors to March 11, 2014. The same article stated that the advisors' first direct election would take place on November 17, 2013, coinciding with the [[2013 Chilean presidential election|presidential and parliamentary elections]], provided that the necessary changes to the law were published before July 20, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 December 2012 |title=LEY-20644 15-DIC-2012 MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR Y SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA, SUBSECRETARÍA DE DESARROLLO REGIONAL Y ADMINISTRATIVO - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional |url=http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1046748&idParte=&idVersion=2012-12-15 |website=leychile.cl}}</ref>


In February 2018, a new law established the democratic election of regional governors, stating that they will be elected at the same date along with the mayors, councillors, and regional boards. However, the regional boards will be elected simultaneously with these offices only in October 2024, maintaining the current calendary that stated the next regional boards elections will be in November 2021, along with the presidential and parliamentary elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diariooficial.interior.gob.cl/publicaciones/2018/02/22/41990/01/1356576.pdf|title=Ley 21.073 REGULA LA ELECCIÓN DE GOBERNADORES REGIONALES Y REALIZA ADECUACIONES A DIVERSOS CUERPOS LEGALES|website=interior.gob.cl}}</ref>
In January 2017, the Constitution was modified to allow for the direct election of the regional governor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nacional |first=Biblioteca del Congreso |title=Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional {{!}} Ley Chile |url=https://www.bcn.cl/leychile |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=www.bcn.cl/leychile |language=es}}</ref> In February 2018, a law regulated the direct election of regional governors, stating that they would be elected at the same time as mayors, councillors, and regional boards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nacional |first=Biblioteca del Congreso |title=Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional {{!}} Ley Chile |url=https://www.bcn.cl/leychile |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=www.bcn.cl/leychile |language=es}}</ref> However, the regional boards would only be elected simultaneously with these offices in October 2024, maintaining the current schedule, which stated that the next regional board elections would take place in November 2021, along with the presidential and parliamentary elections.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ley 21.073 REGULA LA ELECCIÓN DE GOBERNADORES REGIONALES Y REALIZA ADECUACIONES A DIVERSOS CUERPOS LEGALES |url=http://www.diariooficial.interior.gob.cl/publicaciones/2018/02/22/41990/01/1356576.pdf |website=interior.gob.cl}}</ref>


==Municipal elections==
==Municipal elections==
{{for|the last municipal election|2016 Chilean municipal election}}
{{for|the last municipal election|2016 Chilean municipal election}}


Voters directly-elect one mayor and a number of councilmen per [[Communes of Chile|municipality]].<ref name="constitution"/> Mayors are elected by a [[Majority|simple majority]], while councilmen seats (ranging from 6 to 10, depending on the number of registered voters in each municipality) are decided using a system of [[proportional representation]],<ref name="municipallaw">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=251693 Organic Constitutional Law on Municipalities]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref> similar to the [[D'Hondt method]]. Mayors and councilmen are elected in separate ballots since 2004.
Voters directly elect one mayor and a number of councilmen per [[Communes of Chile|municipality]].<ref name="constitution"/> Mayors are elected by a [[Majority|simple majority]], while councilmen seats (ranging from 6 to 10, depending on the municipality's registered voters) are decided using [[proportional representation]],<ref name="municipallaw">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=251693 Organic Constitutional Law on Municipalities]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref> similar to the [[D'Hondt method]]. Since 2004, mayors and councilmen have been elected in separate ballots.


According to the Constitution, councilmen have four-year mandates and may be reelected indefinitely.<ref name="constitution"/> The law sets a four-year mandate for mayors, as well. They are elected concurrently with the council on the last Sunday of October. The newly elected authorities take office on December 6 of that same year. Mayors may also be reelected indefinitely.<ref name="municipallaw"/>
According to the Constitution, councilmen have four-year mandates and can be reelected indefinitely.<ref name="constitution"/> Mayors also have a four-year mandate and can be reelected indefinitely, as set by the law. The election of mayors and councilmen takes place on the last Sunday of October and they take office on December 6 of that year.<ref name="municipallaw"/>


Elections were last held on 23 October 2016 (moved one week from its original date of 30 October to avoid falling in the middle of a four-day holiday),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1083246|title=LEY-20873 02-NOV-2015 MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR Y SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional|date=2 November 2015|website=leychile.cl}}</ref> and are next scheduled to take place on 25 October 2020.
The last election was held on October 23, 2016 (moved from its original date of 30 October to avoid conflicting with a four-day holiday),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1083246|title=LEY-20873 02-NOV-2015 MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR Y SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional|date=2 November 2015|website=leychile.cl}}</ref> and the next election is scheduled for October 25, 2020.


==Referendums==
==Referendums==
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{{main|National referendums in Chile}}
{{main|National referendums in Chile}}


The [[Constitution of Chile|Constitution]] provides for binding referendums (''plebiscito'') only in the case a [[constitutional reform]] passed by [[National Congress of Chile|Congress]] is completely [[Presidential veto|vetoed]] by the [[President of Chile|President]] and then confirmed by Congress by a two-thirds majority of each chamber. In such occurrence the president has the authority to either sign the reform into law or call for a referendum.<ref name="constitution"/> To date, the president has not exercised such power.
The [[Chilean Constitution of 1980|Constitution]] provides for binding referendums (''plebiscito'') only in the case where a [[constitutional reform]] passed by [[National Congress of Chile|Congress]] is completely [[Presidential veto|vetoed]] by the [[President of Chile|President]] and then confirmed by Congress by a two-thirds majority of each chamber. In such an occurrence, the President has the authority to either sign the reform into law or call for a referendum.<ref name="constitution"/> To date, the President has not exercised this power.


===Communal===
===Communal===
The Constitution permits municipalities to organize binding referendums to resolve a number of local issues.<ref name="constitution"/> They can be called by the mayor with the approval of the council, by two-thirds of councilmen or by residents equal to 10% of turnout in the last municipal election.<ref name="municipallaw"/>
The Constitution allows municipalities to hold binding referendums to address various local issues.<ref name="constitution"/> Referendums can be initiated by the mayor with council approval, by a two-thirds majority of council members, or by residents who represent 10% of the total voter turnout in the most recent municipal election.<ref name="municipallaw"/>


To date, there has been one such referendum. It was celebrated in [[Peñalolén]] on 11 December 2011 to decide on a new [[Zoning|zoning scheme]] for the commune.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2011/12/680-410540-9-hoy-se-realiza-primer-plebiscito-comunal-vinculante-del-pais-en-penalolen.shtml |title=Hoy se realiza primer plebiscito comunal vinculante del país en Peñalolén &#124; Nacional |publisher=La Tercera |access-date=2012-02-01}}</ref>
To date, only one such referendum has taken place. It was held in [[Peñalolén]] on December 11, 2011, and was used to determine a new [[Zoning|zoning plan]] for the commune.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2011/12/680-410540-9-hoy-se-realiza-primer-plebiscito-comunal-vinculante-del-pais-en-penalolen.shtml |title=Hoy se realiza primer plebiscito comunal vinculante del país en Peñalolén &#124; Nacional |publisher=La Tercera |access-date=2012-02-01}}</ref>


==Primaries==
==Primaries==
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===Legal primaries===
===Legal primaries===


There is a system of government-run [[Primary election|primaries]] to select candidates for president, senator, deputy, and mayor. Primaries for president, senator, and deputy are held concurrently.<ref name="primaries">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idLey=20640 Law 20,640]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref>
There is a system of government-run [[Partisan primary|primaries]] to select candidates for president, senator, deputy, and mayor. The primaries for president, senator, and deputy are held concurrently.<ref name="primaries">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idLey=20640 Law 20,640]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref>


Primaries can take place within a single party or within a group of parties (a "pact"). Independent candidates may participate in primaries with the backing of a political party or a pact. Independents are barred from being candidates in primaries for Congress seats if the political party backing the candidate is not part of a pact. Political parties may form one pact for presidential primaries and another pact for parliamentary primaries. Political parties and pacts are free to choose whether to allow independent electors or electors affiliated with other political parties to vote in their primary. However, independent electors ''must'' be allowed to vote in a presidential primary that includes an independent candidate.<ref name="primaries"/>
Primaries can take place within a single political party or within a group of parties, known as a "pact." Independent candidates may participate in primaries with the backing of a political party or a pact. However, independents are not eligible to be candidates in primaries for congressional seats if the political party supporting the candidate is not part of a pact. Political parties may form separate pacts for presidential and parliamentary primaries. Political parties and pacts are free to decide whether to allow independent electors or electors affiliated with other political parties to participate in their primaries. However, independent electors ''must'' be allowed to vote in a presidential primary that includes an independent candidate.<ref name="primaries"/>


According to the Constitution, primary results are legally binding for political parties using them; the losing candidates are ineligible for the same election in the respective office,<ref name="constitution"/> unless the winning candidate dies or resigns before the registration deadline.<ref name="primaries"/>
According to the Constitution, primary results are legally binding for political parties that use them. Candidates who lose in the primaries are ineligible to run for the same office in the general election,<ref name="constitution"/> unless the winning candidate dies or resigns before the registration deadline.<ref name="primaries"/>


The law states that primaries take place on the twentieth Sunday before the election.<ref name="primaries"/> The first legal primaries took place on 30 June 2013 to select candidates for president and deputy. The first legal mayoral primaries took place on 19 June 2016.
The law states that primaries take place on the twentieth Sunday before the election.<ref name="primaries"/> The first legal primaries for president and deputy took place on June 30, 2013, and the first legal mayoral primaries took place on June 19, 2016.


===Extralegal primaries===
===Extralegal primaries===


====Presidential====
====Presidential====
The [[Concertación]] coalition selected its candidate for president of the Republic via primaries in 1993, 1999 and 2009 (in 2005 they were canceled, after one of two contenders quit the race). The [[Juntos Podemos]] pact selected its presidential candidate in a primary in 2009.
The [[Concertación]] coalition selected its candidate for President of the Republic through primaries in 1993, 1999 and 2009 (in 2005, they were canceled after one of two contenders quit the race). The [[Juntos Podemos]] pact selected its presidential candidate in a primary in 2009.


====Parliamentary====
====Parliamentary====
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====Mayoral====
====Mayoral====
The Concertación organized primary elections on 1 April 2012 in over 40% of communes to select its candidates for mayor for the 28 October 2012 municipal election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latercera.com/noticia/politica/2012/04/674-441206-9-primarias-de-la-concertacion-toha-y-pinto-son-las-principales-cartas-municipales.shtml |title=Primarias de la Concertación: Tohá y Pinto se convierten en las cartas municipales &#124; Política |publisher=La Tercera |date=2012-02-20 |access-date=2012-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/2012/04/01/533753/primarias-municipales-de-la-concertacion-se-inician-en-147-comunas-del-pais.html |title=Primarias municipales de la Concertación se inician en 145 comunas del país |publisher=Emol.com |access-date=2012-06-21}}</ref>
The Concertación organized primary elections on April 1, 2012, in over 40% of communes to select its candidates for mayor for the October 28, 2012 municipal election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latercera.com/noticia/politica/2012/04/674-441206-9-primarias-de-la-concertacion-toha-y-pinto-son-las-principales-cartas-municipales.shtml |title=Primarias de la Concertación: Tohá y Pinto se convierten en las cartas municipales &#124; Política |publisher=La Tercera |date=2012-02-20 |access-date=2012-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/2012/04/01/533753/primarias-municipales-de-la-concertacion-se-inician-en-147-comunas-del-pais.html |title=Primarias municipales de la Concertación se inician en 145 comunas del país |publisher=Emol.com |access-date=2012-06-21}}</ref>


==Voting==
==Voting==
[[File:Votos elecciones 2009 en Chile.jpg|thumb|Ballots used in the 2009 parliamentary and presidential elections.]]
[[File:Votos elecciones 2009 en Chile.jpg|thumb|Ballots used in the 2009 parliamentary and presidential elections.]]


For Chileans, a [[National identification card#Chile|national identity card]] (current up to a year before the election) or current [[passport]] is the only document required to vote; foreigners must carry their identity cards to be able to vote. The vote is [[secret ballot|secret]] and in person.<ref name="constitution"/> Before voting, a voter must present an identity card or passport (which is retained during the process) to verify registration at that particular polling place, then must sign a registration book. The voter then receives the ballot or ballots (which are printed with all candidates' names, ballot numbers, and party affiliations) and enters a [[voting booth]], where (using a provided graphite pencil) the voter must mark each choice by drawing a vertical line over a printed horizontal line next to the name of the chosen candidate (marking two or more choices nullifies the vote; a vote is considered "blank" when no candidate was correctly marked). Upon exiting the voting booth, the voter returns the ballots to the polling officer, who proceeds to remove the ballots' serial number. The voter then places the ballots inside the appropriate [[ballot box]]es. Once this is done, the voter is given back his/her national identity card/passport.<ref name="electorallaw"/>
For Chileans, the only document required to vote is a [[National identification card#Chile|national identity card]] that is current up to a year before the election or a current [[passport]]. Foreigners must present their identity cards in order to vote. The voting process is [[secret ballot|secret]] and in-person.<ref name="constitution"/> Before voting, a voter must present their identity card or passport to verify their registration at the polling place, then sign the registration book. The voter will then receive the ballot(s) with the names, numbers, and party affiliations of all candidates, and go to a [[voting booth]]. Using a provided graphite pencil, the voter marks their choices by drawing a vertical line over the printed horizontal line next to the chosen candidate. Marking two or more choices nullifies the vote, and if no candidate is marked, the vote is considered "blank." After marking the ballot(s), the voter returns them to the polling officer, who removes the serial number, and the voter places them in the appropriate [[ballot box]](es). Finally, the voter's national identity card/passport is returned to them.<ref name="electorallaw"/>


Most [[polling places]] are in schools or sporting centers. The [[Military of Chile|armed forces]] and [[Police#Uniformed police|uniformed police]] ([[Carabineros de Chile|Carabineros]]) are in charge of providing security at these places before, during, and after the elections.<ref name="constitution"/> Since 2012, polling stations have been mixed-sex.<ref name="enrollmentlaw">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idLey=18556 Organic Constitutional Law on Election Enrollment System and Electoral Service]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref>
Most [[polling places]] are located in schools or sporting centers and security is provided by the [[Military of Chile|armed forces]] and [[Police#Uniformed police|uniformed police]] ([[Carabineros de Chile|Carabineros]]) before, during, and after the elections.<ref name="constitution"/> Since 2012, polling stations have been mixed-sex.<ref name="enrollmentlaw">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idLey=18556 Organic Constitutional Law on Election Enrollment System and Electoral Service]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref>


==Suffrage==
==Suffrage==
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* From 1970 until today: Men and women over 18. (Law No. 17,284 modifying Art. 7 of the 1925 Constitution; Art. 13 of the 1980 Constitution)
* From 1970 until today: Men and women over 18. (Law No. 17,284 modifying Art. 7 of the 1925 Constitution; Art. 13 of the 1980 Constitution)


No Chilean Constitution has ever explicitly banned women from voting. When referring to persons having the right to vote, the various constitutions have used the Spanish term "chilenos," which means both "Chilean men" and "Chilean people." Thus, no constitutional change was needed to allow women to vote.
No Chilean Constitution has ever explicitly prohibited women from voting. The term "chilenos" used in various constitutions to refer to those with the right to vote means both "Chilean men" and "Chilean people", so no constitutional amendment was necessary to grant women the right to vote.


==Turnout==
==Turnout==
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*<small>{{note|c1}} Voting Age Population: An estimation of the country's population over the age of 21 (1952–1969) and 18 (1970–2013) on the day of the election. Source: {{cite web|url=http://esa.un.org/wpp/Excel-Data/EXCEL_FILES/5_Interpolated/WPP2012_INT_F03_1_POPULATION_BY_AGE_ANNUAL_BOTH_SEXES.XLS|title= Annual Population by Age - Both Sexes|work=World Population Prospects, the 2012 Revision|publisher=[[United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs]], Population Division, Population Estimates and Projections Section|date=13 June 2013|access-date=25 June 2013}}<!--[http://www.ine.cl/ National Statistics Office] (INE) [1992-2012]; [http://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/region.php International Data Base], [[U.S. Census Bureau]] [1988-1989].--> Note: The UN provides data estimated for July 1 of each year disaggregated by age. [[Linear interpolation]] was applied to obtain the population for election day. For 2016 mayoral primaries and 19 November 2017 elections: [http://www.ine.cl/canales/chile_estadistico/demografia_y_vitales/proyecciones2014/Base_2002a2020_v3.xls COMUNAS: ACTUALIZACIÓN POBLACIÓN 2002-2012 Y PROYECCIONES 2013-2020], National Statistics Institute of Chile. For 2020 elections: [https://www.ine.cl/docs/default-source/proyecciones-de-poblacion/cuadros-estadisticos/base-2017/ine_estimaciones-y-proyecciones-de-poblaci%C3%B3n-1992-2050_base-2017_tabulados.xlsx?sfvrsn=68eefb1_9 Estimaciones y proyecciones 1992-2050, país], National Statistics Institute of Chile. Note: VAP is for June 30.</small>
*<small>{{note|c1}} Voting Age Population: An estimation of the country's population over the age of 21 (1952–1969) and 18 (1970–2013) on the day of the election. Source: {{cite web|url=http://esa.un.org/wpp/Excel-Data/EXCEL_FILES/5_Interpolated/WPP2012_INT_F03_1_POPULATION_BY_AGE_ANNUAL_BOTH_SEXES.XLS|title= Annual Population by Age - Both Sexes|work=World Population Prospects, the 2012 Revision|publisher=[[United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs]], Population Division, Population Estimates and Projections Section|date=13 June 2013|access-date=25 June 2013}}<!--[http://www.ine.cl/ National Statistics Office] (INE) [1992-2012]; [http://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/region.php International Data Base], [[U.S. Census Bureau]] [1988-1989].--> Note: The UN provides data estimated for July 1 of each year disaggregated by age. [[Linear interpolation]] was applied to obtain the population for election day. For 2016 mayoral primaries and 19 November 2017 elections: [http://www.ine.cl/canales/chile_estadistico/demografia_y_vitales/proyecciones2014/Base_2002a2020_v3.xls COMUNAS: ACTUALIZACIÓN POBLACIÓN 2002-2012 Y PROYECCIONES 2013-2020], National Statistics Institute of Chile. For 2020 elections: [https://www.ine.cl/docs/default-source/proyecciones-de-poblacion/cuadros-estadisticos/base-2017/ine_estimaciones-y-proyecciones-de-poblaci%C3%B3n-1992-2050_base-2017_tabulados.xlsx?sfvrsn=68eefb1_9 Estimaciones y proyecciones 1992-2050, país], National Statistics Institute of Chile. Note: VAP is for June 30.</small>
*<small>{{note|c2}} Source: [http://www.servel.cl/ Electoral Service] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120801192520/http://www.servel.cl/controls/neochannels/Neo_CH119/appinstances/media273/CHILEELIGE.pdf 1925-1973]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20120801203301/http://www.servel.cl/controls/neochannels/Neo_CH22/appinstances/media48/EinscritosSX-1.xls 1988-2010]; [http://www.servel.cl/controls/neochannels/neo_ch30/appinstances/media516/Informe_Inscripciones_Vigentes_por_Region.pdf 2012]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}; [http://www.lasegunda.com/especiales/primarias_2013/presentacion_primarias_2013.pdf 2013]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20160701172802/http://cdn.servicioelectoral.cl/contenido/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Boletin_lunes.pdf 2016 (primaries)]; [http://oficial.servel.cl/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Movimiento_CambiosAplicados-1.pdf 2016 (municipal)]; [https://oficial.servel.cl/servel-determina-electores-habilitados-para-votar-en-las-primarias-2017/ 2017 (presidential primaries)]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20161025162111/http://www.servelelecciones.cl/ 2017 (lower-chamber primaries and 19 November 2017 elections)]; [https://www.diariooficial.interior.gob.cl/publicaciones/2021/06/01/42967/01/1953753.pdf 2021 (regional governors)]).</small>
*<small>{{note|c2}} Source: [http://www.servel.cl/ Electoral Service] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120801192520/http://www.servel.cl/controls/neochannels/Neo_CH119/appinstances/media273/CHILEELIGE.pdf 1925-1973]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20120801203301/http://www.servel.cl/controls/neochannels/Neo_CH22/appinstances/media48/EinscritosSX-1.xls 1988-2010]; [http://www.servel.cl/controls/neochannels/neo_ch30/appinstances/media516/Informe_Inscripciones_Vigentes_por_Region.pdf 2012]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}; [http://www.lasegunda.com/especiales/primarias_2013/presentacion_primarias_2013.pdf 2013]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20160701172802/http://cdn.servicioelectoral.cl/contenido/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Boletin_lunes.pdf 2016 (primaries)]; [http://oficial.servel.cl/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Movimiento_CambiosAplicados-1.pdf 2016 (municipal)]; [https://oficial.servel.cl/servel-determina-electores-habilitados-para-votar-en-las-primarias-2017/ 2017 (presidential primaries)]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20161025162111/http://www.servelelecciones.cl/ 2017 (lower-chamber primaries and 19 November 2017 elections)]; [https://www.diariooficial.interior.gob.cl/publicaciones/2021/06/01/42967/01/1953753.pdf 2021 (regional governors)]).</small>
*<small>{{note|c3}} Source: Electoral Service ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120801192520/http://www.servel.cl/controls/neochannels/Neo_CH119/appinstances/media273/CHILEELIGE.pdf 1925-1969 and 1973 as a percentage only]; 1970;<ref name="Jobet">{{cite web|title=El Partido Socialista de Chile Tomo II|work=Julio César Jobet|language=es|url=http://es.geocities.com/omerocl/partidosoc2.pdf|page=120|access-date=2009-06-05|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://es.geocities.com/omerocl/partidosoc2.pdf&date=2009-10-25+03:25:06|archive-date=2009-10-25}}</ref><ref name="jtor">{{Cite journal|title=B. El Congreso Nacional y la quiebra de un deber constitucional: el control del ejercicio constitucional de las funciones del presidente|work=Revista Chilena de Derecho Vol. 1, No. 3/4 (junio-agosto 1974), pp. 491-547|language=es|jstor=41605133|page=491}}</ref> [https://web.archive.org/web/20130704065000/http://historico.servel.cl/ 1988-2012]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20140826161003/http://www.servel.cl/ss/site/infografiaprimarias-resultadospresidenciales.html?id=1392338493932 2013 (primaries)]; [http://www.servel.cl/ss/site/infografiascore-resultadoselecciondeconcejerosregionales.html?id=1392338461680 2013 (regional boards)]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}; [https://archive.today/20150604202808/http://www.servel.cl/ss/site/infografiaparlamentarias-resultadosdiputados.html?id=1392338443733 2013 (deputies)]; [http://www.servel.cl/ss/site/infografiaparlamentarias-resultadossenadores.html?id=1392338443733 2013 (Senate)]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}; [https://web.archive.org/web/20140727211842/http://www.servel.cl/ss/site/infografiapresidentes-resultadosglobales.html?id=1392338409308 2013 (president)]; [https://historico.servel.cl/servel/app/index.php?r=EleccionesGenerico&id=169 2016 (primaries)]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20161025162111/http://www.servelelecciones.cl/ 2016 (municipal)]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20161025162111/http://www.servelelecciones.cl/ 2017]). Values for 1952–1969 and 1973 derived from columns 3, 4 and 7.</small>
*<small>{{note|c3}} Source: Electoral Service ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120801192520/http://www.servel.cl/controls/neochannels/Neo_CH119/appinstances/media273/CHILEELIGE.pdf 1925-1969 and 1973 as a percentage only]; 1970;<ref name="Jobet">{{cite web|title=El Partido Socialista de Chile Tomo II|work=Julio César Jobet|language=es|url=http://es.geocities.com/omerocl/partidosoc2.pdf|page=120|access-date=2009-06-05|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5kmbQgbhB?url=http://es.geocities.com/omerocl/partidosoc2.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-10-25}}</ref><ref name="jtor">{{Cite journal|title=B. El Congreso Nacional y la quiebra de un deber constitucional: el control del ejercicio constitucional de las funciones del presidente|journal=Revista Chilena de Derecho Vol. 1, No. 3/4 (Junio-agosto 1974), pp. 491-547|date=1974 |volume=1 |issue=3/4 |pages=491–547 |language=es|jstor=41605133}}</ref> [https://web.archive.org/web/20130704065000/http://historico.servel.cl/ 1988-2012]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20140826161003/http://www.servel.cl/ss/site/infografiaprimarias-resultadospresidenciales.html?id=1392338493932 2013 (primaries)]; [http://www.servel.cl/ss/site/infografiascore-resultadoselecciondeconcejerosregionales.html?id=1392338461680 2013 (regional boards)]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}; [https://archive.today/20150604202808/http://www.servel.cl/ss/site/infografiaparlamentarias-resultadosdiputados.html?id=1392338443733 2013 (deputies)]; [http://www.servel.cl/ss/site/infografiaparlamentarias-resultadossenadores.html?id=1392338443733 2013 (Senate)]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}; [https://web.archive.org/web/20140727211842/http://www.servel.cl/ss/site/infografiapresidentes-resultadosglobales.html?id=1392338409308 2013 (president)]; [https://historico.servel.cl/servel/app/index.php?r=EleccionesGenerico&id=169 2016 (primaries)]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20161025162111/http://www.servelelecciones.cl/ 2016 (municipal)]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20161025162111/http://www.servelelecciones.cl/ 2017]). Values for 1952–1969 and 1973 derived from columns 3, 4 and 7.</small>
*<small>{{note|c4}} Turnout as a percentage of the voting age population.</small>
*<small>{{note|c4}} Turnout as a percentage of the voting age population.</small>


Latest revision as of 23:38, 16 October 2024

Politics of Chile
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Elections in Chile are held nationwide, including the presidency, parliament, regional offices, and municipal positions. Chilean citizens and foreign residents with legal residency of at least five years, who are 18 years or older on election day, are eligible to vote. Previously, voting was voluntary, but since 2023, it has become compulsory.

Presidential elections are held to select the chief of state and head of government for a four-year term, allowing for non-consecutive re-election. Candidates can be nominated by political parties or run as independent candidates, requiring a specific number of signatures. Parliamentary elections follow a system of proportional representation, and the country's bicameral Congress consists of a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate. The electoral system for parliamentary elections underwent reforms in 2017, which changed the number of electoral districts and senatorial constituencies.

Regional and municipal elections also occur, with direct elections determining regional boards and mayors. Referendums, both national and local, are part of Chile's electoral system. The country conducts primaries, both legal and extralegal, to select candidates for various positions. The voting process is conducted in-person and requires a national identity card or passport.

The independent Electoral Service (Servicio Electoral or Servel) oversees the electoral process, with the winners being declared by the Election Certification Court.

Schedule

[edit]

Election

[edit]
Position 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Type Mayoral primaries (19 June)
Municipal (23 October)		 Presidential and parliamentary primaries (2 July)
Presidential (19 November)
National Congress (19 November)
Regional Boards (19 November)		 None National plebiscite (25 October)
Mayoral and governor primaries (29 November) 		Municipal (15-16 May)
Regional governor (15-16 May)
Constitutional Convention (15-16 May)
Presidential and parliamentary primaries (18 July)
Presidential (21 November)
National Congress (21 November)
Regional Boards (21 November)
President None President None President
National Congress None Full Chamber and half of Senate None Full Chamber and half of Senate
Regions and provinces None Regional Boards None Regional Governors
Regional Boards
Municipalities Mayors and Councilors None Mayors and Councilors

Inauguration

[edit]
Position 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Type Municipal None Presidential
National Congress
Regional Boards		 None None Regional governor
Municipal
Constitutional Convention		 Presidential
National Congress
Regional Boards
President None None 11 March None 11 March
National Congress None None 11 March None 11 March
Regions None None 11 March None None 14 July 11 March
Municipalities 6 December None None None None 28 June None
Constitutional Convention None None None None None 4 July None

Electorate

[edit]

Citizens of Chile and foreign residents with legal residency of at least five years who are 18 years or older on election day are eligible to vote. All eligible citizens are automatically registered,[1] and voting is compulsory. Between 2012 and 2023, voting was voluntary. Since 2014, Chileans have been able to vote overseas in presidential elections (including primaries) and referendums.[2]

Presidential elections

[edit]
For the most recent presidential election, see 2021 Chilean presidential election.

Presidential elections elect a president who serves as the chief of state and head of government for a period of four years.[3] Non-consecutive re-election is permitted.[3]

The president is directly elected by an absolute majority of valid votes (excluding null and blank votes). If no candidate obtains such a majority, a runoff election is held between the two candidates with the most votes.[3] Before 1989, the president was confirmed by Congress if elected by a simple majority.

Each legally operating political party may nominate one of its members as a candidate. Independent candidates must gain the support of a number of independent electors before registering their candidacy. The number of signatures needed is equal to at least 0.5% of the number of people who voted in the most recent Chamber of Deputies election.[4] For the 2013 election, the number was 36,318 signatures.[5]

According to the Constitution, presidential elections take place on the third Sunday of November in the year before the current president's term expires. If necessary, a runoff election is held on the fourth Sunday following the first election. The president is sworn in on the day the incumbent president's term expires.[3]

Before 2011, presidential elections were held 90 days before the current president's term expired. If that day was not a Sunday, the election was moved to the following Sunday. If necessary, a runoff election was held 30 days after the first election, following the Sunday rule. Since 1990, the president has taken office on March 11, so elections were held on or after December 11 of the previous year.

Parliamentary elections

[edit]
For the most recent parliamentary election, see 2021 Chilean general election.

Electoral system until 2017

[edit]

Chile's bicameral Congress is composed of a Chamber of Deputies (the lower house) and a Senate (the upper house).[3] The country is divided into 60 electoral districts for the Chamber of Deputies and 19 senatorial constituencies for the Senate. (See Electoral divisions of Chile for details.) Each electoral district and senatorial constituency directly elects two representatives,[4] totaling 120 deputies and 38 senators. Chile is unique in that it was the only country in the world with nationwide two-seat electoral districts.[6]

Deputies serve a four-year term and senators serve an eight-year term. Both deputies and senators are eligible for unlimited reelection. Every four years, half the Senate is replaced.[3] In the first Senate after the restoration of democracy in 1990, senators from odd-numbered regions served a four-year term (1990–1994), while senators from even-numbered regions and the Santiago Metropolitan Region served an eight-year term (1990–1998). The senators from odd-numbered regions elected in 1993 served the standard eight-year term (1994–2002).

According to the Constitution, parliamentary elections must be held in conjunction with presidential elections.[3]

Candidates may register with either the support of a political party or a group of citizens. Party affiliation is optional for candidates supported by a political party, but candidates supported by a group of citizens must not be affiliated with any political party and must collect signatures from independent electors. The number of signatures required is at least 0.5% of the total votes cast in the last Chamber of Deputies election in that electoral district (for a lower-chamber seat) or last Senate election in that senatorial constituency (for a Senate seat).[4]

Two or more political parties can form an alliance, known as a "pact," to present up to two candidates per electoral district or senatorial constituency. The candidates do not have to be affiliated with any of the parties in the pact, but they cannot be affiliated with a political party outside of the pact.[4]

Political parties that are not part of a pact may present up to two candidates per electoral district or senatorial constituency, and the candidates must be affiliated with that party.[4]

In each electoral district and senatorial constituency election, the two entities (pact, political party not part of a pact, or independent candidate not part of a pact) with the most votes each receive one seat, with the leading candidate in each entity taking the seat. To win both seats, the leading entity must receive at least two times as many votes as the second-leading entity.[4] This is a rare application of the D'Hondt method, as only two seats are allocated per electoral division.[7][8]

Criticism

[edit]
See also: Gerrymandering § Chile

This binomial voting system was established by the military dictatorship that ruled Chile until 1990, limiting the proportional system in place until 1973 to two seats per district or constituency. The dictatorship used gerrymandering to create electoral districts that favored rightist parties, with a positive bias towards the more conservative rural areas of the country. The vote-to-seat ratio was lower in districts that supported Pinochet in the 1988 plebiscite and higher in those with the strongest opposition.[9] None of the newly created districts had a margin of more than 2-to-1 in the plebiscite. The authoritarian regime also made it difficult to change the system, requiring a three-fifths majority in both chambers to modify it.[3]

Members of the Concert of Parties for Democracy believe that the system undermines their majority in Congress and exaggerates the representation of the right.[10] The right views the system as necessary for the country's stability[11][12] and to encourage the creation of large coalitions.[13] The left sees the system as undemocratic,[12] denying representation to candidates outside the two main coalitions.[6]

Changes to electoral system in 2017

[edit]

A law reforming the electoral system was published in May 2015. It decreased the number of electoral districts to 28, which were formed by merging existing districts, and reduced the number of senatorial constituencies to 15, with one for each region. Each electoral district elects between three and eight deputies, while each region elects between two and five senators. The number of lawmakers in each chamber was increased, to 155 in the lower chamber, and 50 in the Senate. The D'Hondt method remains in use to determine the winners. The new system was introduced in the 2017 general elections[14] and significantly changed the composition of Congress.[15]

Regional elections

[edit]

Each region in Chile is governed by a directly-elected regional governor (gobernador regional), chosen through a two-round election, unless a candidate secures a minimum of 40% of the vote in the initial round. The governor is supported by a board consisting of regional advisors (consejeros regionales or Cores), who are also elected directly.

The regional governor serves a four-year term with the possibility of one immediate reelection. Advisors serve four-year terms and are restricted to two consecutive reelections. The number of advisors is proportional to the region's population and area in relation to the country.[3]

The position of regional governor was first directly elected in May 2021. Prior to that, the regional government was led by an Intendant (Intendente), appointed by the President of the Republic. Regional advisors were first directly elected in November 2013.

Electoral reform

[edit]

In October 2009, the Constitution was modified to allow regional advisors to be elected directly through universal suffrage.[3] In June 2013, a law regulated the direct election of regional advisors.[16] Previously, regional advisors were elected by municipal council members in each region, forming electoral colleges for each provincial region. Each region was allocated two advisors per province, with an additional 10 advisors in regions with up to 1 million inhabitants or 14 more in regions with over 1 million residents. These additional advisors were distributed among provinces based on their proportion of the regional population in the latest census, using the D'Hondt method. The candidate who received the most votes within each province was declared the winner. However, if two or more candidates ran as a list within a province, the winners were determined using the D'Hondt method.[17] Advisors served four-year terms and could be reelected indefinitely. Elections took place 15 days after the councilmen took office, and the newly elected advisors were sworn in 60 days after their election.[17]

In December 2012, a temporary article was added to the Constitution, suspending the election scheduled for December 21, 2012, and extending the mandate of the incumbent advisors to March 11, 2014. The same article stated that the advisors' first direct election would take place on November 17, 2013, coinciding with the presidential and parliamentary elections, provided that the necessary changes to the law were published before July 20, 2013.[18]

In January 2017, the Constitution was modified to allow for the direct election of the regional governor.[19] In February 2018, a law regulated the direct election of regional governors, stating that they would be elected at the same time as mayors, councillors, and regional boards.[20] However, the regional boards would only be elected simultaneously with these offices in October 2024, maintaining the current schedule, which stated that the next regional board elections would take place in November 2021, along with the presidential and parliamentary elections.[21]

Municipal elections

[edit]
For the last municipal election, see 2016 Chilean municipal election.

Voters directly elect one mayor and a number of councilmen per municipality.[3] Mayors are elected by a simple majority, while councilmen seats (ranging from 6 to 10, depending on the municipality's registered voters) are decided using proportional representation,[22] similar to the D'Hondt method. Since 2004, mayors and councilmen have been elected in separate ballots.

According to the Constitution, councilmen have four-year mandates and can be reelected indefinitely.[3] Mayors also have a four-year mandate and can be reelected indefinitely, as set by the law. The election of mayors and councilmen takes place on the last Sunday of October and they take office on December 6 of that year.[22]

The last election was held on October 23, 2016 (moved from its original date of 30 October to avoid conflicting with a four-day holiday),[23] and the next election is scheduled for October 25, 2020.

Referendums

[edit]

National

[edit]
Main article: National referendums in Chile

The Constitution provides for binding referendums (plebiscito) only in the case where a constitutional reform passed by Congress is completely vetoed by the President and then confirmed by Congress by a two-thirds majority of each chamber. In such an occurrence, the President has the authority to either sign the reform into law or call for a referendum.[3] To date, the President has not exercised this power.

Communal

[edit]

The Constitution allows municipalities to hold binding referendums to address various local issues.[3] Referendums can be initiated by the mayor with council approval, by a two-thirds majority of council members, or by residents who represent 10% of the total voter turnout in the most recent municipal election.[22]

To date, only one such referendum has taken place. It was held in Peñalolén on December 11, 2011, and was used to determine a new zoning plan for the commune.[24]

Primaries

[edit]
For the last presidential primary, see 2017 Chilean presidential primaries.
[edit]

There is a system of government-run primaries to select candidates for president, senator, deputy, and mayor. The primaries for president, senator, and deputy are held concurrently.[25]

Primaries can take place within a single political party or within a group of parties, known as a "pact." Independent candidates may participate in primaries with the backing of a political party or a pact. However, independents are not eligible to be candidates in primaries for congressional seats if the political party supporting the candidate is not part of a pact. Political parties may form separate pacts for presidential and parliamentary primaries. Political parties and pacts are free to decide whether to allow independent electors or electors affiliated with other political parties to participate in their primaries. However, independent electors must be allowed to vote in a presidential primary that includes an independent candidate.[25]

According to the Constitution, primary results are legally binding for political parties that use them. Candidates who lose in the primaries are ineligible to run for the same office in the general election,[3] unless the winning candidate dies or resigns before the registration deadline.[25]

The law states that primaries take place on the twentieth Sunday before the election.[25] The first legal primaries for president and deputy took place on June 30, 2013, and the first legal mayoral primaries took place on June 19, 2016.

Extralegal primaries

[edit]

Presidential

[edit]

The Concertación coalition selected its candidate for President of the Republic through primaries in 1993, 1999 and 2009 (in 2005, they were canceled after one of two contenders quit the race). The Juntos Podemos pact selected its presidential candidate in a primary in 2009.

Parliamentary

[edit]

Throughout 2013, the Concertación parties organized primaries to select some of their candidates for seats in Congress.

Mayoral

[edit]

The Concertación organized primary elections on April 1, 2012, in over 40% of communes to select its candidates for mayor for the October 28, 2012 municipal election.[26][27]

Voting

[edit]
Ballots used in the 2009 parliamentary and presidential elections.

For Chileans, the only document required to vote is a national identity card that is current up to a year before the election or a current passport. Foreigners must present their identity cards in order to vote. The voting process is secret and in-person.[3] Before voting, a voter must present their identity card or passport to verify their registration at the polling place, then sign the registration book. The voter will then receive the ballot(s) with the names, numbers, and party affiliations of all candidates, and go to a voting booth. Using a provided graphite pencil, the voter marks their choices by drawing a vertical line over the printed horizontal line next to the chosen candidate. Marking two or more choices nullifies the vote, and if no candidate is marked, the vote is considered "blank." After marking the ballot(s), the voter returns them to the polling officer, who removes the serial number, and the voter places them in the appropriate ballot box(es). Finally, the voter's national identity card/passport is returned to them.[4]

Most polling places are located in schools or sporting centers and security is provided by the armed forces and uniformed police (Carabineros) before, during, and after the elections.[3] Since 2012, polling stations have been mixed-sex.[28]

Suffrage

[edit]

The state of suffrage in Chile since 1833:

  • From 1833: Men over 25, if single, or 21, if married, able to read and write, and owning property or capital of a certain value fixed by law. (Art. 8 of the 1833 Constitution)
    • The 1884 Election Law drops the ownership requirement for men and explicitly bans women from being registered.[29]
  • From 1925: Men over 21 able to read and write. (Art. 7 of the 1925 Constitution)
    • From 1934: Men over 21 able to read and write (general registry); women over 25 able to read and write (municipal registry, i.e. limited to local elections). (Law No. 5,357)
    • From 1949: Men and women over 21 able to read and write. (Law No. 9,292)
  • From 1970 until today: Men and women over 18. (Law No. 17,284 modifying Art. 7 of the 1925 Constitution; Art. 13 of the 1980 Constitution)

No Chilean Constitution has ever explicitly prohibited women from voting. The term "chilenos" used in various constitutions to refer to those with the right to vote means both "Chilean men" and "Chilean people", so no constitutional amendment was necessary to grant women the right to vote.

Turnout

[edit]

Election turnout since 1925.

Note: Since 2017, enrollment and turnout figures for presidential elections, presidential primaries and plebiscites include voters from abroad.
Date Election VAP1 Registered2 % Turnout3 % T / VAP %4
1925-10-24 President — 302,142 — — 86.4 —
1927-05-22 President — 328,700 — — 70.4 —
1931-10-04 President — 388,959 — — 73.5 —
1932-10-30 President — 464,879 — — 74.0 —
1938-10-25 President — 503,871 — — 88.1 —
1942-02-02 President — 581,486 — — 80.2 —
1946-09-04 President — 631,257 — — 75.9 —
1952-09-04 President 3,290,043 1,105,029 33.59 — 86.6 29.1
1953-03-01 Legislative 3,319,987 1,106,709 33.33 — 68.6 22.9
1957-03-03 Legislative 3,560,495 1,284,159 36.07 — 70.5 25.4
1958-09-04 President 3,649,924 1,497,902 41.04 — 83.5 34.3
1961-03-12 Legislative 3,815,496 1,858,980 48.72 — 74.5 36.3
1964-09-04 President 4,098,612 2,915,121 71.12 — 86.8 61.7
1965-03-14 Legislative 4,145,932 2,920,615 70.45 — 80.6 56.8
1969-03-16 Legislative 4,518,768 3,244,892 71.81 — 74.2 53.3
1970-09-04 President 5,200,790 3,539,747 68.06 2,954,799 83.47 56.81
1971-04-01 Municipal[citation needed] — 3,792,682 — 2,835,412 — —
1973-03-11 Legislative 5,514,216 4,509,559 81.78 3,687,105 81.8 66.9
1988-10-05 Plebiscite 8,193,683 7,435,913 90.75 7,251,933 97.53 88.51
1989-07-30 Plebiscite 8,344,555 7,556,613 90.56 7,082,084 93.72 84.87
1989-12-14 Chamber of Deputies 8,414,203 7,557,537 89.82 7,158,646 94.72 85.08
1989-12-14 Senate 8,414,203 7,557,537 89.82 7,158,442 94.72 85.08
1989-12-14 President 8,414,203 7,557,537 89.82 7,158,727 94.72 85.08
1992-06-28 Municipal 8,902,989 7,840,008 88.06 7,043,827 89.84 79.12
1993-12-11 Chamber of Deputies 9,172,608 8,085,439 88.15 7,385,016 91.34 80.51
1993-12-11 Senate — — — 2,045,681 — —
1993-12-11 President 9,172,608 8,085,439 88.15 7,387,709 91.37 80.54
1996-10-27 Municipal 9,670,815 8,073,368 83.48 7,079,418 87.69 73.20
1997-12-14 Chamber of Deputies 9,868,810 8,069,624 81.77 7,046,351 87.32 71.40
1997-12-14 Senate — — — 5,102,906 — —
1999-12-12 President 10,237,392 8,084,476 78.97 7,271,584 89.95 71.03
2000-01-16 President-Runoff 10,237,392 8,084,476 78.97 7,326,753 90.63 71.57
2000-10-29 Municipal 10,409,834 8,089,363 77.71 7,089,886 87.64 68.11
2001-12-16 Chamber of Deputies 10,640,846 8,075,446 75.89 7,034,292 87.11 66.11
2001-12-16 Senate — — — 1,975,017 — —
2004-10-31 Council people 11,233,815 8,012,065 71.32 6,874,315 85.80 61.19
2004-10-31 Mayors 11,233,815 8,012,065 71.32 6,872,675 85.78 61.18
2005-12-11 Chamber of Deputies 11,471,909 8,220,897 71.66 7,207,351 87.67 62.83
2005-12-11 Senate — 5,863,704 — 5,182,224 88.38 —
2005-12-11 President 11,471,909 8,220,897 71.66 7,207,278 87.67 62.83
2006-01-15 President-Runoff 11,471,909 8,220,897 71.66 7,162,345 87.12 62.43
2008-10-26 Council people 12,095,757 8,110,265 67.05 6,950,508 85.70 57.46
2008-10-26 Mayors 12,095,757 8,110,265 67.05 6,959,075 85.81 57.53
2009-12-13 Chamber of Deputies 12,345,729 8,285,186 67.11 7,263,537 87.67 58.83
2009-12-13 Senate — 2,392,477 — 2,053,480 85.83 —
2009-12-13 President 12,345,729 8,285,186 67.11 7,264,136 87.68 58.84
2010-01-17 President-Runoff 12,345,729 8,285,186 67.11 7,203,371 86.94 58.35
2012-10-28 Council people 12,953,120 13,404,084 103.48 5,770,423 43.05 44.55
2012-10-28 Mayors 12,953,120 13,404,084 103.48 5,790,617 43.20 44.70
2013-06-30 Presidential primaries 13,087,161 13,307,182a 101.68 3,010,890 22.63 23.01
2013-06-30 Lower-chamber primariesb — — — 300,839 — —
2013-11-17 Regional boards 13,160,122 13,573,143 103.14 6,685,333 49.25 50.80
2013-11-17 Chamber of Deputies 13,160,122 13,573,143 103.14 6,698,524 49.35 50.90
2013-11-17 Senate — 9,770,063 — 4,852,165 49.66 —
2013-11-17 President 13,160,122 13,573,143 103.14 6,699,011 49.35 50.90
2013-12-15 President-Runoff 13,160,122 13,573,143 103.14 5,697,751 41.98 43.30
2016-06-19 Mayoral primariesc 5,154,006 5,067,812d 98.33 280,481 5.53 5.44
2016-10-23 Council people 13,678,149 14,121,316 103.24 4,915,436 34.81 35.94
2016-10-23 Mayors 13,678,149 14,121,316 103.24 4,926,935 34.89 36.02
2017-07-02 Presidential primaries 13,790,520 13,531,553h 98.12 1.813.688 13.40 13.15
2017-07-02 Lower-chamber primariesj — 3,541,669k — 418,336 11.81 —
2017-11-19 Regional boards 14,009,047 14,347,288 102.41 6,674,828 46.52 47.65
2017-11-19 Chamber of Deputies 14,009,047 14,347,288 102.41 6,673,831 46.52 47.64
2017-11-19 Senate — 3,992,804 — 1,819,045 45.56 —
2017-11-19 President 14,009,047 14,347,288 102.41 6,703,327 46.72 47.85
2017-12-17 President-Runoff 14,022,729 14,347,288 102.41 7,032,878 49.02 50.15
2020-10-25 Plebiscite (new constitution) 15,052,382 14,855,719 98.69 7,573,914 50.98 50.32
2020-10-25 Plebiscite (drafting body) 15,052,382 14,855,719 98.69 7,573,124 50.98 50.31
2020-11-29 Gubernatorial primaries 15,073,334 14,470,550 96.00 418,685o 2.89 2.78
2020-11-29 Mayoral primariesn — 3,379,521 — 147,608p 4.37 —
2021-05-16 Convention Constituents 15,173,902 14,900,190 98.20 6,473,057 43.44 42.66
2021-05-16 Regional governors 15,173,902 14,900,190 98.20 6,472,470 43.44 42.66
2021-05-16 Mayors 15,173,902 14,900,190 98.20 6,471,476m 43.43 42.65
2021-05-16 Council people 15,173,902 14,900,190 98.20 6,460,836m 43.36 42.58
2021-06-13 Regional governors (runoff)q — 13,040,819 — 2,558,962r 19.62 —
2021-07-18 Presidential primaries — 14,693,433 — 3,141,404 21.38 —
Date Election VAP1 Registered2 % Turnout3 % T / VAP %4

Notes: a Excludes 200,638 affiliates from non-participating political parties. b Held in 10 out of 60 electoral districts. c Held in 93 out of 346 communes. d Excludes affiliates from non-participating political parties. h Excludes 273,017 affiliates and 445,722 'pending' affiliates from non-participating political parties,[30] and 21,270 electors from abroad.[31] j Held in 7 out of 28 electoral districts.[32] k Excludes affiliates and 'pending' affiliates from non-participating political parties. m Revised provisional results. n Held in 36 out of 346 communes. o Provisional results including 99.91% of ballot boxes. p Provisional results including 99.84% of ballot boxes. q Held in 13 out of 16 regions. r Provisional results including 99.99% of ballot boxes.

  • ^ Voting Age Population: An estimation of the country's population over the age of 21 (1952–1969) and 18 (1970–2013) on the day of the election. Source: "Annual Population by Age - Both Sexes". World Population Prospects, the 2012 Revision. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, Population Estimates and Projections Section. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013. Note: The UN provides data estimated for July 1 of each year disaggregated by age. Linear interpolation was applied to obtain the population for election day. For 2016 mayoral primaries and 19 November 2017 elections: COMUNAS: ACTUALIZACIÓN POBLACIÓN 2002-2012 Y PROYECCIONES 2013-2020, National Statistics Institute of Chile. For 2020 elections: Estimaciones y proyecciones 1992-2050, país, National Statistics Institute of Chile. Note: VAP is for June 30.
  • ^ Source: Electoral Service (1925-1973; 1988-2010; 2012[permanent dead link‍]; 2013; 2016 (primaries); 2016 (municipal); 2017 (presidential primaries); 2017 (lower-chamber primaries and 19 November 2017 elections); 2021 (regional governors)).
  • ^ Source: Electoral Service (1925-1969 and 1973 as a percentage only; 1970;[33][34] 1988-2012; 2013 (primaries); 2013 (regional boards)[permanent dead link‍]; 2013 (deputies); 2013 (Senate)[permanent dead link‍]; 2013 (president); 2016 (primaries); 2016 (municipal); 2017). Values for 1952–1969 and 1973 derived from columns 3, 4 and 7.
  • ^ Turnout as a percentage of the voting age population.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Barnes, Tiffany D.; Rangel, Gabriela (December 2014). "Election Law Reform in Chile: The Implementation of Automatic Registration and Voluntary Voting". Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy. 13 (4): 570–582. doi:10.1089/elj.2013.0205. ISSN 1533-1296.
  2. ^ "LEY-20748 03-MAY-2014 MINISTERIO SECRETARÍA GENERAL DE LA PRESIDENCIA - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional". leychile.cl. 3 May 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile. Chile Library of National Congress.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Organic Constitutional Law on Popular Elections and Vote Counting. Chile Library of National Congress.
  5. ^ "Con número récord de candidatos presidenciales Servel cierra inscripciones". latercera.com.
  6. ^ a b Carey, John M (2009). "Ingeniería electoral: ¿qué nos muestran las investigaciones académicas sobre los efectos anticipados de las reformas electorales?" [Electoral engineering: What do academic research tell us about the anticipated effects of the electoral reforms?]. Fortalecimiento de la Democracia: Reforma del Sistema Electoral Chileno / Chapter 8 (in Spanish). p. 234. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  7. ^ Altman, David (2004). "Redibujando el Mapa Electoral Chileno: Incidencia de Factores Socioeconómicos y Género en las Urnas" (PDF). Revista de Ciencia Política / Vol. XXIV / Nº 2. Instituto de Ciencia Política, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  8. ^ Fuentes S., Claudio and Marcela Ríos T. (January 2007). Una reforma necesaria: Efectos del sistema binominal [A necessary reform: Effects of the binomial system] (in Spanish) (2nd ed.). Santiago. pp. 17, 32. ISBN 978-956-205-215-3. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2011-10-23. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. ^ Valenzuela, Arturo and Peter Siavelis (1991). "Ley electoral y estabilidad democrática: Un ejercicio de simulación para el caso de Chile" (PDF). Estudios Públicos Nº 43 (in Spanish). Santiago: Centro de Estudios Públicos. p. 39. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
  10. ^ Carey, John M. (2006). "Las virtudes del sistema binominal" [The Virtues of the Binomial System]. Revista de Ciencia Política / Vol. 26 / Nº 1 (in Spanish). Santiago. pp. 226–235. ISSN 0718-090X. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  11. ^ "Coloma defiende el sistema binominal: "Ha dado estabilidad a Chile"". Emol.com. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  12. ^ a b "Chili : Système électoral". Observatoire Politique de l'Amérique latine et des Caraïbes de Sciences Po - Opalc. 2009. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  13. ^ Siavelis, Peter (2004). "Sistema electoral, desintegración de coaliciones y democracia en Chile: ¿El fin de la Concertación?". Revista de Ciencia Política / Vol. XXIV / N° 1 (in Spanish). Santiago. pp. 58–80. ISSN 0718-090X. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  14. ^ "LEY-20840 05-MAY-2015 MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR Y SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional". leychile.cl. 5 May 2015.
  15. ^ Sajuria, Javier. "Analysis | Chile just went to the polls — and transformed its legislature". Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-07-11.
  16. ^ Nacional, Biblioteca del Congreso. "Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional | Ley Chile". www.bcn.cl/leychile (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  17. ^ a b Organic Constitutional Law on Regional Administration and Governance. Chile Library of National Congress.
  18. ^ "LEY-20644 15-DIC-2012 MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR Y SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA, SUBSECRETARÍA DE DESARROLLO REGIONAL Y ADMINISTRATIVO - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional". leychile.cl. 15 December 2012.
  19. ^ Nacional, Biblioteca del Congreso. "Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional | Ley Chile". www.bcn.cl/leychile (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  20. ^ Nacional, Biblioteca del Congreso. "Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional | Ley Chile". www.bcn.cl/leychile (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  21. ^ "Ley 21.073 REGULA LA ELECCIÓN DE GOBERNADORES REGIONALES Y REALIZA ADECUACIONES A DIVERSOS CUERPOS LEGALES" (PDF). interior.gob.cl.
  22. ^ a b c Organic Constitutional Law on Municipalities. Chile Library of National Congress.
  23. ^ "LEY-20873 02-NOV-2015 MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR Y SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional". leychile.cl. 2 November 2015.
  24. ^ "Hoy se realiza primer plebiscito comunal vinculante del país en Peñalolén | Nacional". La Tercera. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  25. ^ a b c d Law 20,640. Chile Library of National Congress.
  26. ^ "Primarias de la Concertación: Tohá y Pinto se convierten en las cartas municipales | Política". La Tercera. 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2012-06-21.
  27. ^ "Primarias municipales de la Concertación se inician en 145 comunas del país". Emol.com. Retrieved 2012-06-21.
  28. ^ Organic Constitutional Law on Election Enrollment System and Electoral Service. Chile Library of National Congress.
  29. ^ "LEI-S/N 16-ENE-1884 NO ESPECIFICADO - Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional". leychile.cl. 16 January 1884.
  30. ^ S.A.P., El Mercurio (14 June 2017). "970 mil personas quedaron inhabilitadas para votar en las próximas elecciones primarias - Emol.com". emol.com.
  31. ^ "Servel determina electores habilitados para votar en las Primarias 2017 – Servicio Electoral de Chile". oficial.servel.cl.
  32. ^ "Servel acepta candidaturas a Elecciones Primarias para nominar candidatos presidenciales y parlamentarios – Servicio Electoral de Chile". oficial.servel.cl.
  33. ^ "El Partido Socialista de Chile Tomo II" (PDF). Julio César Jobet (in Spanish). p. 120. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  34. ^ "B. El Congreso Nacional y la quiebra de un deber constitucional: el control del ejercicio constitucional de las funciones del presidente". Revista Chilena de Derecho Vol. 1, No. 3/4 (Junio-agosto 1974), pp. 491-547 (in Spanish). 1 (3/4): 491–547. 1974. JSTOR 41605133.
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