Santa Fe advances new Electoral Code to unify voting regulations

Political groups in Santa Fe, Argentina, are advancing a new Electoral Code designed to unify dispersed voting regulations into a single legal framework. The initiative has received partial approval from the Chamber of Deputies and has been moved to the Senate for further consideration.

Key provisions of the proposal include maintaining Open, Simultaneous, and Mandatory Primaries (PASO) and implementing a single paper ballot for all elective categories. The code aims to establish a predictable electoral calendar, setting general elections for the fourth Sunday of June. It also introduces digital tools, such as an electoral digital file, and simplifies administrative procedures for candidate registration.

To expand political participation, the code incorporates the right to vote for citizens aged 16 to 18 and foreign residents, in accordance with the 2025 provincial constitutional reform. Additionally, the reform sets electoral thresholds: political groups must reach 1% of the electoral roll to pass the PASO, and a 4% threshold is required in general elections to access proportional seat distribution. The coalition Unidos para Cambiar Santa Fe has welcomed the move, stating it will provide clearer and more transparent rules for the citizenry.