Elections in San Marino

San Marino's national elections renew the Consiglio Grande e Generale, the country's parliament, normally every five years. An early election can follow the loss of 30 members or the failure of a government programme or ministerial appointments. Voters choose lists on one state ballot. A list needs support from at least 90 voters to stand, must submit between 12 candidates and 60 candidates by noon on the 40th day before the election, and may include no more than two thirds of candidates of the same sex. A coalition must provide a notarised commitment to obtain a parliamentary majority and implement a government programme. Seats are assigned proportionally using successive divisors of 1, 2, 3 and so on. A list normally needs at least 0.4% multiplied by the number of lists taking part, but the threshold cannot exceed 3.5% of valid votes. A majority is recognised when a list or coalition receives 50% plus one valid vote, or the highest vote total together with at least 30 of the 60 seat-allocation quotients. A stability bonus can raise the governing majority to 35 seats. If no list or coalition qualifies, two negotiation mandates are attempted; a second ballot may then take place on the second following Sunday between the two leading lists or coalitions. That ballot determines the winner, while seats remain allocated from the first ballot and preference votes are not used in the second ballot. San Marino citizens aged 18 or older on election day may vote unless a statutory exclusion applies, such as legal incapacity, certain final convictions, loss of political office or disqualification from political rights. Voter registers are reviewed annually, published by 31 January and open to complaints until noon on 28 February. The decision on complaints is due by 15 March. The election certificate normally arrives by post no later than the 15th day before voting; the Ufficio Elettorale di Stato issues a duplicate when needed. National voting takes place from 07:00 to 20:00, with people already present allowed to vote until 21:00. Voters use a San Marino identity document, including an expired one; an absent document can be replaced through confirmation by the polling chair or a scrutineer, or by two known voters. Proxy voting is not allowed. Assisted voting requires a medical certificate, and an application for home voting must generally arrive by 14:00 on the 13th day before the election. Mobile phones and cameras are forbidden inside the voting booth. Voters living in San Marino may mark up to three preferences within their chosen list, while voters abroad choose only a list or coalition. Candidates need voting rights, must be at least 21 and must be domiciled in the Republic. Members of the Gendarmerie, Civil Police, Uniformed Unit of the Fortress Guard, diplomatic or consular agents, magistrates and the procuratore del fisco cannot stand while holding those positions. Candidate declarations include tax information, income, holdings and a statement concerning secret associations. A parliamentary mandate is incompatible with serving as a Capitano or member of a Giunta, and an elected person generally has 15 days to exercise an option where an incompatibility exists. Local elections choose a Capitano di Castello and a Giunta in each of the nine Castelli. Castelli with at least 2,500 inhabitants elect a Capitano and seven Giunta members; smaller Castelli elect a Capitano and five members. San Marino citizens who are adults and resident in the relevant Castello may vote, as may foreign residents with at least ten uninterrupted years of residence under the applicable qualifying date. The local ballot contains a Capitano and list symbol, with up to two preferences for Giunta members from the same list. If only one list stands, it must obtain 35% of valid votes or a new election is held. AASS provided free election transport for the 2025 local elections when reserved in advance. The Capitani Reggenti are not elected directly by the general electorate; the Consiglio Grande e Generale elects them. Referendums are a separate form of direct vote and do not use the ordinary parliamentary election process. Polling-station counting is public, the central office normally consolidates results at 14:00 on the following day, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs publishes the result within two days. Challenges concerning eligibility or the conduct of the election generally go to the Giunta Permanente delle Elezioni within five days. The Consiglio Grande e Generale confirms the result, elected members swear their oath within two months, and vacant parliamentary seats are primarily filled by the next-ranked candidate from the same list. Voting itself has no local participation fee, while candidates may incur notary and authentication costs.