The Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, holds provincial elections concurrently with national elections, and sometimes has its own separate schedules. Determining the exact date for voting requires looking at the official electoral calendar released by the provincial and national electoral authorities for that specific year.
Argentina employs a system of mandatory voting for citizens between the ages of 18 and 70. Citizens aged 16 and 17, as well as those over 70, are permitted to vote but are not required to do so.
National elections in Argentina, which typically include the presidential election and legislative elections for seats in the National Congress, are traditionally held on Sundays. Provincial elections, especially in Buenos Aires, tend to coincide with these national dates for cost-saving and logistical efficiency.
The primary elections, known as PASO (Primarias Abiertas, Simultáneas y Obligatorias – Open, Simultaneous, and Mandatory Primaries), are a crucial step. These are held to select the candidates who will represent each political party or alliance in the general election. PASO is mandatory for all registered voters, regardless of whether they are affiliated with a particular political party. This means that even if a party only has one candidate, voters must still participate in the PASO to validate that candidacy.
General elections follow the PASO, usually a couple of months later. In Buenos Aires Province, voters will choose the Governor and Vice-Governor, as well as provincial senators and deputies. These elections also include local offices, such as mayors (intendentes) and city council members (concejales).
A presidential election in Argentina, and therefore in Buenos Aires, can involve a second round, or “ballotage,” if no candidate obtains more than 45% of the valid votes cast, or more than 40% with a difference of at least 10 percentage points over the second-place candidate. If a second round is necessary, it is typically held a few weeks after the general election between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
Therefore, to know precisely when to vote in the Province of Buenos Aires in a given election year, it’s essential to consult the official announcements from the National Electoral Chamber (“Cámara Nacional Electoral”) and the Electoral Tribunal of the Province of Buenos Aires. These announcements will specify the exact dates for the PASO, the general election, and any potential second round.
Keep an eye on news outlets and official government websites for the latest information as the election year approaches. Remember that election dates can be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.