FOREIGNERS' RIGHT TO VOTE IN CHILE AND COMPULSORY VOTING
In Chile, resident foreigners have the right to participate in elections, as any other Chilean citizen, and are subject to the fulfillment of the obligatory vote, according to the current regulations.
Who can vote?
Foreigners who:
Have resided in Chile continuously for five years or more, counted from the date of obtaining their identity card for foreigners.
Are registered in the Electoral Registry, which occurs automatically when they meet the legal requirements.
Mandatory Voting
Since the 2021 reform, voting is mandatory for all persons registered in the Electoral Registry, including foreigners. Failure to vote may result in penalties, except in cases of justification in accordance with the regulations.
Penalties for Not Voting
According to the Electoral Law, those who do not comply with their duty to vote may face:
Economic fines, the amount of which is determined by the corresponding electoral judge.
Exclusion from certain benefits or rights in case of prolonged recidivism.
Recommendations:
Verify your electoral registration: You can do so at the Chilean Electoral Service (SERVEL) website (www.servel.cl).
Find out about voting deadlines and locations: Details are published prior to each electoral process.
Justify your non-attendance if applicable: In case you are unable to vote, make sure you have documentation to support your absence (e.g. medical certification or travel abroad).
Fuentes:
- Political Constitution of the Republic (Article 13), which establishes the right to vote for foreign residents with more than 5 years of residence in the country.
- Law N° 18.556 on Electoral Registrations and Electoral Service, which determines the requirements and procedures for electoral registration.
- Constitutional Reform Law N° 21.385 (2021), which reestablished mandatory voting in general and municipal elections for all those registered in the Electoral Registry.
