Elections in Chile

Chile holds nationwide presidential, parliamentary, regional and municipal elections.

The electoral process is supervised by the Electoral Service (Servicio Electoral), which is independent from the government. Winners are officially proclaimed by the Election Examining Tribunal (Tribunal Calificador de Elecciones), which is composed of four members of Chile's Supreme Court and one former legislator chosen by the Court.

All citizens of Chile as well as foreigners residing legally in Chile for at least five years, who are at least 18 years of age on the day of the election, are eligible to vote. Enrollment in Chile is automatic and voting is voluntary. Chileans are not allowed to vote overseas. Before 2012 voting was compulsory for life for Chilean citizens who wished to enroll.

Presidential elections elect a president, who serves as chief of state and head of government for a period of four years. Perpetual non-consecutive reelection is permitted.

The President is directly-elected nationwide by the absolute majority of the valid votes (excludes null votes and blank votes). If no candidate obtains such majority, a runoff election is held between the top two vote getters. Before 1989, the president was confirmed by Congress if elected by a simple majority.

Each legally operating political party may register one of its members as candidate. Independent candidates are required to gain the support of a number of independent electors prior to registering their candidacy. The number of signatures needed is equal to at least 0.5% of the number of people who last voted in the Chamber of Deputies election, nationwide. For the 2013 election, the number was 36,318 signatures.

According to the Constitution, presidential elections take place on the third Sunday of November of the year before the incumbent president's term expires. A runoff election —if necessary— takes place on the fourth Sunday following the election. The president is sworn in on the day the incumbent president's term expires. Since 1990 that day has been March 11.

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