Elections in France

France holds elections for the President of the Republic, the National Assembly, municipal councils, departmental councils, regional councils, and the European Parliament. Each election chooses a different institution, so a voter should first understand what that institution controls. French citizens who meet the legal conditions can vote after being entered on an electoral list, called a liste électorale. Registration is linked to a commune, and voters normally use the polling station assigned to them. Presidential elections use a direct national vote. If no candidate wins the required majority in the first round, a second round is held between the leading candidates, and the winner becomes President of the Republic. Legislative elections choose deputies for the National Assembly in geographical constituencies. They use a two-round majority system with qualification rules, so the first-round result determines which candidates may continue. Municipal elections choose the council of a commune, and the council then elects the mayor. The detailed voting method depends on the type and size of the commune, while departmental and regional elections use systems designed for their respective territorial councils. European elections choose the French members of the European Parliament. Voters select among party lists, and seats are distributed broadly according to each qualifying list’s share of the vote rather than through local constituencies. Voting takes place by secret ballot at a polling station, called a bureau de vote. A voter proves eligibility, selects a ballot in private, places it in an envelope and ballot box, and signs the register according to the official procedure. A voter who cannot attend may authorise another eligible voter through a formal proxy, called a procuration. The proxy arrangement must be completed correctly, and the authorised person casts the vote at the appropriate polling station. Officials and citizen volunteers supervise the poll and publicly count the ballots after voting closes. Election rules, observers, review procedures, and courts help protect fairness, although turnout, unequal resources, confusing campaigns, and limited representation can still affect democratic participation.