Grouping of electors (Spain)

According to the Spanish electoral law, a grouping of electors (Spanish: agrupación de electores) is a group of citizens temporarily associated with the goal of presenting a candidature to a particular election. It is a format that a candidature can use to present to a given election. To present the candidature, a candidate must present a minimum number of signatures relative to the electoral census. Given its temporary nature, if the promoters wanted to use the grouping for another election, the latter must be re-constituted. Unlike political parties, party federations or electoral coalitions, a grouping of electors cannot profit from public electoral funding from a preceding candidature.

Signatures

Municipal elections

As established in the Art. 192 of the electoral law, the required number of signatures depends on the size of the municipality:

• Under 5,000 inhabitants, the number of signatures must be no less than the 1% of voters as long as the number of signataries is over the double of electable councillors.
• Between 5,001 and 10,000 inhabitants, at least 100 signatures
• Between 10,001 and 50,000 inhabitants, at least 500 signatures
• Between 50,001 and 150,000 inhabitants, at least 1,500 signatures
• Between 150,001 and 300,000 inhabitants, at least 3,000 signatures
• Between 300,001 and 1,000,000 inhabitants, at least 5,000 signatures
• In larger areas, at least 8,000 signatures

General elections

For a group of electors to compete in a given general election, they must present a minimum number of signatures, amounting to 1% of the electors in the electoral district (which correspond to each province and Ceuta and Melilla).

European elections

For a group of electors to compete in a given election to the European Parliament, they must present a minimum of 15,000 signatures.