If this is your first time, of first opportunity to vote in France, we hope you may find the following information about the voting system in France helpful.

The new Council for Tourtoirac will be composed of 15 councillors and elected for a term of 6 years (unless this period is altered or extended by the Government).

In brief terms, Article.L.256 and Article.L.257 of the ‘Texte de Code Electorale’ states that:
Where communes have up to 2500 inhabitants (i.e. Tourtoirac), election candidates may be part of a list – or choose to stand as independents.
In communes of Tourtoirac’s size, candidates do not necessarily have to formally register their candidature.
Equally, electors themselves may add a name to their voting slips on Polling Day - for example, where they feel that someone would be particularly good as a councillor for the commune.

You will shortly be receiving, or may have already received your Polling Card.  If it does not arrive in time, or you mislay it – do not worry. As long as you are registered as a voter in Tourtoirac, it is sufficient to take your passport along as proof of your identity.

The first round of Polling will take place on: Sunday, 9th March, in the Mairie. The Polling Station will be open at 8 a.m. and remain open all day until 6 p.m.

How to place your votes:

To vote for who they wish to be responsible for the ethos, management and future of Tourtoirac, electors must CLEARLY DELETE those candidates they DO NOT WANT AS COUNCILLORS, remembering to leave a maximum of 15 only. (This is the opposite of the British Electoral  System)

Electors may choose a maximum of 15 candidates only.

A lower number of candidates may also be chosen.

However, where electors vote for more than 15 candidates, the entire ballot paper will be declared INVALID.

At the time of writing, there are 2 different lists in Tourtoirac, each of 15 candidates – (on Election Day, there may also be independent candidates, as yet unknown).

Each of the lists will be printed on a separate voting paper, which electors receive in their mailbox or collect from the table in the Mairie.

Electors may choose to vote for a complete list of 15 candidates, or  select up to a total of  15 candidates, from any of the lists.

Once unwanted names have been deleted in the secrecy of the polling booth, the papers should be sealed in the envelope provided and deposited in the ballot box. 
Electors are then required to sign against their name on the electoral role.

At the end of the first round on the 9th of March, those candidates with more than 50% of the votes cast AND more than 25% of the electoral role, will be declared as immediately elected.

Where less than 15 are elected outright in the first round, the second round of elections will take place.

The second round of elections will take place on: Sunday 16th March, in the Mairie, again between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

In the second round, some of the candidates from the first round may choose to withdraw, other names may be added to the lists or other independent candidates may decide to stand.

Voting will take place in the same way, but again, care must be taken not to vote for more than the vacancies available. 
(e.g. if 13 councillors are elected in Round One, only 2 votes can be cast in Round Two)

At the end of the second round on Sunday 16th March:
Article L 253 of the ‘Texte de Code Electorale’  states that those candidates with highest number of votes corresponding to the vacant positions are elected.
Where there is a tie in the number of votes received, the oldest candidate is elected.


Once the election for the 15 councillors is complete, the new Mayor is chosen by whichever list of elected councillors holds the majority of seats, or by a majority vote of all councillors, where there is no clear list majority.

The newly elected council and Mayor then begin their 6 years of office.