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Writer's pictureJoana Wheeler

Where can I vote? What is required? Questions and responses pertaining to the legislation

Have you moved? Will you be turning eighteen? Did you miss the early voting registration? Find out the answers to these and other inquiries concerning the 10th of March legislative elections.  


The legislative elections are scheduled for the 10th of March, which is next Sunday. We've compiled some crucial facts to aid you in case you still have questions, as the vote is only a few days away.  


Where is the nearest polling station? Did you register to the early vote but still have not received the information? You have turned eighteen this month, but are you sure you're old enough to vote? These and other questions are addressed below. 


“Despite being registered to vote early, I did not vote. Is it still possible for me to vote?” 


Know that you can still cast a vote on the 10th of March for this instance. You only need to provide your identity at the polling location where you are registered in order to exercise your right to vote.  


“Where is my polling station?”  


You can visit your parish or local council, or check the Ministry of Internal Affairs website, to find out where you are registered to vote. If the latter is the case, you can find out where you vote by opening the page and entering your personal information, which includes your date of birth and civil identity number.  


However, there are other options. Installing the MAI Mobile app or texting the following message to 3838 : RE (SPACE) civil identification number without the last four digits and letters (SPACE) birthdate YYYYMMD.  


“I recently moved, so what happens now?” 


Unless you have opted to vote on mobility and cast your vote in advance, you may always exercise your right to vote in the location where you are registered.  

You must vote at your prior address if you have moved but haven't updated your identity card. The voting location will be given to the new address going forward when the address is updated, which is a required action. The modification is made automatically on the citizen card.  


However, take note that the deadline for the address change to be effective for the elections on March the 10th was by the 10th of January. 


“When is the deadline to cast a vote?”  


Voting hours on the mainland and in Madeira are 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Conversely, voting ends in the Azores at 7:00 p.m. Please be aware that only voters present at the polling location may cast their vote after this hour.  

 

“What paperwork is required for me to vote?” 

In order to cast a vote, you must show up at the polling place, identify yourself with your identity card or citizen card, and state your name.  


In the event that you decide to use your citizen card for identification and it has been inactive for longer than two years, proceed with caution as your registration has been cancelled. You must either renew your identity document or use one of the other forms of identification that are authorised for this use. Voters can prove their identity by presenting a valid form of identification, like a passport or driver's licence, that features a current photo. Conversely, the voter card is no longer valid because it was stopped being issued in 2008 and the voter number was removed. 


Two voting citizens may still attest to your identity under oath if you are missing any of the aforementioned documents for any other reason. Additionally, recognising every person in the polling place can aid in identification. 


“Before election day, I turn eighteen. Is voting permitted?” 


Yes, is the response. You are eligible to vote in the upcoming legislative elections if you turn 18 by the 10th 0f March. In the day of your eighteenth birthday, your temporary registration in the electoral register becomes permanent.  


“What would happen if there was a physical impairment or illness?” 


Voters who are visually impaired as an example. They are permitted to vote with a companion, a voter of their choosing, provided that the person swears to uphold the integrity of their vote and keeps complete confidentiality. Moreover, the board must attest to the fact that a voter cannot cast a vote by themselves. If you're still unsure, you can also ask to see a certificate that was given by the medical professional who serves as the municipal area's health authority.  


“I'm a foreign resident. Is mail voting still an option?” 


It is crucial to be aware that, up until election day, voters can choose to cast their votes by mail or in person with the appropriate census commission, or the diplomatic representative. If you decide to cast your vote by mail, you must turn it in by the day before the election.  


The system will presume you are voting by post if you do not say anything. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will mail the vote and a white and a green envelope to your address if you are registered overseas and haven't cast your vote in advance.  

After casting your vote, you must fold it and place it inside the green envelope without writing. Then, you must place the green envelope inside the white envelope and keep it there until the day of the vote, together with the copy of your identity certificate.  


If you decide to cast your vote in person, you will need to visit the voting place located at the consular post either the day before or on the day of the election. You will need to show your identity and give your name. Please be aware that the polling place cannot remain open past 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. in Lisbon. 

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