Province Province of Almería Population 701,211 (2016) Region Andalusia | Autonomous community Andalusia Electorate 491,496 (2016) Date formed 1977 | |
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Seats 5 (1977–2004)
6 (2008–) Created Spanish general election, 1977 Major settlements Almería, Roquetas de Mar, El Ejido | ||
Almería is one of the 52 electoral districts (Spanish: circunscripciones) used for the Congress of Deputies—the lower chamber of the Spanish Parliament, the Cortes Generales. The electoral system uses the D'Hondt method and a closed-list proportional representation, with a minimum threshold of 3%.
Contents
It is one of eight districts which correspond to the provinces of Andalusia. Almería is the only town with a population of over 100,000, accounting for nearly a third of the electorate in the province. The next largest municipalities, with a population of over 50,000 are Roquetas de Mar and El Ejido.
Boundaries and electoral system
Under Article 68 of the Spanish constitution the boundaries must be the same as the province of Almería and under Article 140 this can only be altered with the approval of congress. Voting is on the basis of universal suffrage in a secret ballot. The electoral system used is closed list proportional representation with seats allocated using the D'Hondt method. Only lists which poll 3% or more of all valid votes cast, including votes "en blanco" i.e. for "none of the above" can be considered for seats. Under article 12 of the constitution, the minimum voting age is 18.
Eligibility
Article 67.3 of the Spanish Constitution prohibits dual membership of the Cortes and regional assemblies, meaning that candidates must resign from Regional Assemblies if elected. Article 70 also makes active judges, magistrates, public defenders, serving military personnel, active police officers and members of constitutional and electoral tribunals ineligible.
Number of members
From the 1977 until 2004 Almería returned five members. This figure was increased to six members for the 2008 election.
Under Spanish electoral law, all provinces are entitled to a minimum of 2 seats with a remaining 248 seats apportioned according to population. These laws are laid out in detail in the 1985 electoral law. (Ley Orgánica del Régimen Electoral General) The practical effect of this law has been to overrepresent smaller provinces at the expense of larger provinces.
In 2004 Spain had 34,571,831 voters giving an average of 98,777 voters per deputy. In Almería the ratio was below that at 85,462.