The Electoral Board in Ibiza has received approximately 200 requests from residents seeking exemption from serving on electoral tables ahead of Spain's general elections on 29 November 2026. According to the president of the Electoral Board, Sergio González Malabia, some residents are attempting to avoid their appointments by refusing to accept official notifications or purchasing cheap plane tickets in anticipation of being selected.

In an interview with La Voz de Ibiza published on 12 November, González Malabia described the different circumstances behind exemption requests and warned that failing to attend an electoral table without an accepted justification can lead to criminal proceedings.

Around 200 Requests for Exemption Already Received

According to González Malabia, the Electoral Board has received around 200 exemption requests so far. He estimates that the usual number is approximately 500 per election, although the figure varies depending on the time of year.

Applications can involve a range of personal, family and professional circumstances. Among the most common reasons are medical conditions, temporary sick leave, family care responsibilities and professional obligations.

Requests also come from people who have already arranged travel or who are living outside Ibiza despite remaining officially registered on the island.

The timing of the November elections is particularly relevant in Ibiza, where many seasonal workers leave the island after the summer tourism season. Some residents remain registered in Ibiza but spend the winter months elsewhere.

Buying Plane Tickets to Avoid Electoral Duty

One of the practices highlighted by González Malabia involves residents purchasing inexpensive plane tickets in advance, hoping to use their travel arrangements as justification if they are selected to serve on an electoral table.

He also described cases in which people deliberately avoid answering their doors because they fear receiving an official notification from the authorities.

However, purchasing a plane ticket does not automatically provide an exemption from electoral duty. Requests must be assessed individually by the competent Electoral Zone Board, which considers the circumstances and supporting documentation.

Spain's Central Electoral Board previously introduced an exceptional arrangement for the July 2023 general elections, allowing certain pre-booked holidays to be considered where cancellation would cause financial loss or serious disruption. That measure was specifically limited to the 2023 electoral process and should not be interpreted as a general exemption applicable to every election.

Under the current electoral framework, the decision remains with the competent Electoral Zone Board.

Residents Registered in Ibiza but Living Elsewhere

Another recurring issue involves people who remain officially registered in Ibiza despite having established their lives elsewhere.

González Malabia explained that the Board receives applications from university students studying in cities such as Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. According to his account, these requests are generally accepted when the circumstances are properly established.

There are also cases involving people who work and live permanently in other parts of Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, while retaining their registration in Ibiza.

The Board examines the circumstances of each application, including the practical and financial implications of returning to the island to fulfil electoral duties.

Some applications also come from people living abroad. González Malabia mentioned cases involving residents in Germany and Japan, where the cost and difficulty of travelling to Ibiza can be significant.

He acknowledged that there is no precise figure showing how many people registered on the island actually reside there throughout the winter.

Nine People Selected for Each Electoral Table

Each electoral table consists of three principal positions: one president and two voting members, known as vocales.

For each position, two substitutes are also appointed. This means that nine people are initially designated for every electoral table, providing replacements if the principal members cannot fulfil their duties.

The objective is to ensure that every table can be constituted at 8:00 am on election day.

Nevertheless, González Malabia recalled previous elections in which there were difficulties finding enough people to complete certain tables, despite the appointment of all nine designated individuals.

In some situations, people arriving at polling stations to vote have volunteered to help. The electoral authorities can also arrange for other eligible voters present at the polling station to complete a table when necessary.

What Happens if Someone Fails to Attend?

Serving as president or a member of an electoral table is a legal obligation for those appointed. The same attendance requirements apply to designated substitutes.

Under Article 27 of Spain's Organic Law on the General Electoral System, people selected for these positions have seven days from notification to submit a documented justification for their inability to serve.

The relevant Electoral Zone Board then decides whether the request should be accepted or rejected. The presentation of an exemption request does not automatically release someone from their responsibilities.

The legislation also establishes procedures for circumstances that arise after the initial period for submitting objections. If someone becomes unable to attend, they must notify the Electoral Zone Board as soon as possible and provide the relevant justification.

Article 143 of the electoral law establishes penalties for unjustified failure to attend, abandoning an electoral table without legitimate cause or failing to comply with the relevant notification and exemption obligations. The penalties can include imprisonment of three months to one year or a financial penalty of six to 24 months.

A Reminder of the Importance of Electoral Responsibilities

González Malabia also recalled unusual situations from previous elections, including an incident in 2023 involving a woman who reportedly left her electoral table to return home and sleep, without subsequently returning to fulfil her responsibilities.

According to his account, the police were eventually sent to locate her, and she was taken back to the polling station.

His message ahead of the 29 November elections is that electoral responsibilities should be taken seriously. Anyone with a legitimate reason preventing them from serving must follow the official procedure and obtain the appropriate decision from the Electoral Board.