It is not a document required to exercise the right to vote in France. However, the electoral map is still in force. Why do we continue to receive it at home and present it at the polling station?
The first round of the legislative elections takes place this Sunday, June 12, 2022. There is still time to consult the programs of the various candidates online, to make your choice. Perhaps you have not found your electoral card after having used it to vote for the presidential election. It does not matter, because this document is not essential to vote.
” It is recommended to present your electoral card at the time of the vote. But if you don’t have it, you can still vote “, confirms the site of the French administration Service-Public.fr. It is possible to exercise one’s right to vote by presenting an identity document only (national identity card, passport, driving license are admissible).
We can therefore legitimately ask ourselves: why does the electoral map still exist in 2022if it is not essential to vote?
The electoral map is mentioned in the law
” This document still exists, because it is still quoted by the articles of the Electoral Codeexplains to Numerama Valérie Farrugia, public law lawyer at the Paris bar. The Electoral Code is an old machine, with some texts dating from the 1800s, so it would have to be completely overhauled. But the document is indeed not obligatory, because one can succeed in proving his identity with his identity card or another title. “However, it would still cost 2.5 million euros to manufacture to the State and the municipalities, according to Slate.
The existence of the electoral map is actually always mentioned in the Electoral Code, article R22 of which indicates: “ An electoral card valid for all political consultations by direct suffrage is issued to any voter registered on the electoral list.. »
Voting without an electoral card or identity document? Yes it happened
” It is clear and clear that the right to vote cannot be subordinated to the presentation of the electoral card », completeValerie Farrugia. A decision was taken in this direction in 1996, on the occasion of a dispute concerning a person who had voted without presenting an electoral card or identity document. His vote was ultimately not questioned.
” In the event of litigation, the electoral judge is pragmaticsummarizes the lawyer. It happened to him to judge that without electoral paper and without identity document, a voter had been recognized by the members of the office and that he could vote, as long as the precision was carried on the official report and that it there was no debate between the members of the bureau, both the President and the assessors. Obviously, this is not the most common. »
The electoral map is still a means of updating the electoral lists
One advantage of keeping the electoral map, even today, is that it can help to verify the address of electors. ” As the electoral card is sent to the domicile of the voters, this can provide information on the possibility that the voters have moved, when the card returns to the senderExplainValerie Farrugia. We can thus know whether or not to remove them from the electoral list. It also has this utility, like all the campaign materials you receive at home. »
This aspect is confirmed in article R25 of the Electoral Code: “ The mayor takes into account, in the update of the electoral lists, the indications which motivated the return of the card to the town hall, as well as the indications provided by the voters who had to withdraw their card directly at the polling station.. »
Finally, the electoral card is also associated with strong symbolism: at the age of 18, each young person newly registered on an electoral list is invited to a citizenship ceremony and the handing over of electoral cards. Participation in this ceremony is not compulsory (the card can be sent by post or made available at the polling station on polling day). Nevertheless, this clearly shows, as summarized by the lawyer interviewed by Numerama, that ” it is also a civic act to have your electoral card “.