Up to a Year in Prison for Unjustified Absence

Failure to appear without justification at an electoral board in Badalona on Sunday 29th November 2026 can lead to imprisonment from three months to one year or a fine of six to twenty-four months, according to Article 143 of the Organic Law on the General Electoral System (LOREG). The penalty applies to presidents, members, and their alternates. The obligation begins at 8:00 AM on election day, when all appointed individuals, including alternates, must report to their assigned polling station. Leaving before the board is formally dissolved constitutes abandonment and may trigger legal action.

Fines Based on Income, Not Fixed Amounts

There is no automatic fine for non-attendance. Instead, courts apply a daily rate between €2 and €400, depending on the individual’s financial situation, multiplied by the number of days in the sentence. Each month of the fine equals 30 days. For example, a 12-month fine at a daily rate of €15 results in a €5,400 penalty. While higher theoretical amounts are possible, these reflect extreme combinations and are not typical. The actual amount is determined judicially.

How to Request an Excuse in Badalona

Residents who cannot serve must contact the Zonal Electoral Board within seven days of receiving their appointment. Under Article 27 of the LOREG, the board has five days to respond. Acceptable reasons include:

  • Recognised disability or medical leave (baja laboral)
  • Pregnancy from the sixth month onwards
  • Caring for a disabled relative or child under 14 in a single-parent household
  • Having served on a board at least three times in the past ten years

Professional commitments alone do not exempt individuals unless they involve essential services where substitution is impossible.

Submitting an excuse request does not guarantee approval. You must await the board’s decision and keep proof of submission and documentation.

Last-Minute Emergencies

If an impediment arises after the seven-day deadline, it must be reported at least 72 hours before the election. If it occurs closer to voting day, notification must be made immediately and before the board convenes. Documentation such as medical reports or police records should be retained as evidence.

Workers Get Paid Leave to Serve

Under Article 28 of the LOREG, employees and civil servants assigned to a board are entitled to a full day of paid leave on 29th November. They also receive a five-hour reduction in working hours on Monday 30th November. Employers are legally required to grant this time off.

Residents can check their polling station and board assignment via the Badalona City Council elections portal. Those selected should review their notification carefully and act promptly if they have a valid reason not to serve.

Sources: Badalona Digital, badalona.cat, as.com, laprovincia.es.