Questions & Answers

  • On 9 June 2024, the European Parliament elections, local government elections and minority elections will be held on the same day.

  • 1. In accordance with the 2022 amendment to the Fundamental Law, this summer, on 9 June, we will elect the members of the European Parliament (21 Hungarian MPs out of 720), the members of local government and mayors, members of the county assemblies, members of the capital assemblies and the mayor of the capital on the same day. Furthermore, the representatives of minority self-government are appointed at municipal, regional and in all cases national level.

    2. In Budapest, an important change is that the members of the Budapest City Assembly will no longer be district mayors, but the 32 members will be elected directly by the voters of Budapest, on a list.

    3. In settlements with more than 10 000 inhabitants, a compensatory list may be established by a nominating organisation which has nominated a candidate in at least two thirds of the single mandate constituencies of the settlement

    4. The 2023 amendments to the Electoral Procedure Act changed the rules for submitting applications.

    Under the new rules, voters can submit individual applications in the following ways:

     

    in person

    via a delivery agent

    by post

    online identification

    without identification

    www.valasztas.hu

    in any local election office

    from 1 December, 2023

    • registration and removal from the nationality register

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    • accessible polling station
    • simplified information
    • Braille-notice
    • Braille-template

    request and cancellation

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    • prohibiting/allowing the provision of data for election campaign purposes

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    For the 2024 general elections from 4 April 2024

    • mobile ballot box request and  cancellation

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    • absentee voting and cancellation

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    Submitting a request online with identification

     

    The easiest and safest way to apply is to identify yourself online. There are several ways for voters to identify themselves when submitting an application online. For information on identification options, click here: https://kau.gov.hu/informacio/segitseg

    Applications can be submitted online here.

    Submitting an application in person

    Voters can submit their application in person at any local election office. There is no need to fill in the form in advance, just bring a valid document proving your identity (identity card, passport or driving licence).

    Submission of the application by proxy

    The proxy may deliver the voter's application at any local election office if the voter completes Section 5 of the application form, which includes the power of attorney signed by 2 witnesses. They can also receive the decision of the electoral office by completing section (p) of the application form. The delivery agent may not make statements on behalf of the voter, the voter's statements must be contained in the application form signed by the voter. Application forms can be filled in and printed out by computer. After printing, it is important that the voter signs the form in the appropriate places (points 4 and 5).

    Submitting an application by post

    You can also submit your application for a ballot paper or registration by post. Applications for registration can be submitted on a continuous basis, but in order to be considered for the 2024 European Parliament elections, they must be received by 4 p.m. on 15 May 2024 at the National Election Office, any local election office or a foreign representation.

    The application for a mobile ballot box can be submitted by post to any local election office until 4 p.m. on 5 June 2024 from the date of the election. The election office will process applications from 4 April 2024.

    Application forms can also be filled in and printed out by computer. After printing, it is important that the voter signs the form in the appropriate place (point 4).

    Decision on the application

    As of 1 December 2023, applications for the register will be assessed by the National Election Office (NEC) in an automatic decision-making procedure. This means that in most cases a decision will be taken within a few seconds. However, in the case of submissions by proxy, without online identification or by post, if the name or place of birth given is different from the one on the register, the intervention of an administrator will be required, which will extend the time for the administration by 3 working days.

    Notification of the decision

    The NVI sends the decision - in the first instance - to the voter's citizen mailbox (https://tarhely.gov.hu/). You can also specify another delivery address (e-mail or postal address) in the request, or you can request to receive it in person. For those who do not have a citizen mailbox and do not provide any other contact details, the decision will be delivered to their home address by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt.

  • No, it can be submitted in one submission, covering all elections. A voter cannot submit a separate application for absentee voting e.g. for municipal and national elections.

  • Local government representatives and mayors are elected for five years, but the term of office of the mayor (Lord Mayor) and representatives elected on 9 June 2024 starts on 1 October 2024. The reason for this is the amendment to the Fundamental Law of 2023, which stipulates that elections to local government, minority government and the European Parliament will be held on the same day. The term of office of the mayors (Lord Mayor) and local councillors elected in 2019 will end on 1 October 2024.

  • Under the Fundamental Law of Hungary, all Hungarian and EU citizens of legal age residing in Hungary have the right to vote and stand for election in elections for local government representatives and mayors. Persons of full age who are resident in Hungary, recognised refugees or recognised as having the right of permanent residence may also participate in elections.

    Any person who has been disqualified by a court for having committed a criminal offence or for lack of capacity to exercise his or her discernment, or who is a minor, shall not be entitled to vote.

  • No, because they do not have a Hungarian address.

  • Yes, if you are registered and on the central electoral roll at the time of the request for a recommendation form or when you submit your list.

  • Yes, if you are registered and on the central electoral roll at the time of the request for a recommendation form or when you submit your list.

  • The amount of the fine is HUF 1,000 for each recommendation sheet not submitted by the deadline, which is 4 p.m. on 6 May 2024 for candidates and 16.00 on 7 May 2024 for lists. No fine shall be imposed for a recommendation form not containing a recommendation submitted by 4 p.m. on the day following the deadline at the latest.

    Fines should be paid to the following account number:

    National Election Office Centralised direct debit account - Hungarian State Treasury

    10032000-01040391-00000000

  • It may not be collected at the workplace, government offices, the Hungarian Defence Forces, public transport, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, medical practices or on private property open to public use without the prior written consent of the owner.

  • No. Another person may enter the details of the recommending voter, but the recommendation form is only valid if the recommending voter signs it in his/her own hand.

Election day

  • You can vote on election day (Sunday, 9 June 2024) from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Voters who are on the printed electoral roll may vote at the polling station. The voter must prove his/her identity (by means of a valid identity card, passport or driving licence) and his/her address or personal identification (address card). The voter receives the stamped ballot papers after the above and confirms receipt by signing the electoral roll.

  • Persons with expired documents are not allowed to vote and must be rejected by the polling station commission.

    Voting is not possible if the voter knows the member or members of the commission personally and is on the electoral roll.

    During the voting period, the designated government offices will be on duty for the purpose of document replacement.

    It is important that voters check the validity of their documents before election day and ensure that they obtain valid documents in good time.

  • Yes.

    However, a voter of a nationality who votes in a nationality municipal election only needs to enclose the green-coloured nationality ballot papers in the green-coloured envelope!

  • No. You can only vote in person.

  • If the voter indicates before placing the ballot paper into the ballot box that he/she has spoilt the ballot paper, the polling commission shall withdraw the spoilt ballot paper, place it in a special envelope and issue a new ballot paper in place of the spoilt ballot paper.

    A voter may request a new ballot paper only once per type of ballot paper spoiled.

    Once the voter has placed his/her ballot in the ballot box, he/she may no longer request a replacement.

  • A ballot paper which does not bear the official stamp is not valid.

  • The election notice contains the exact address of the polling station, the list of polling stations can be found here.

  • A voter may request assistance to exercise their right to vote:

    o the deadline for submitting a request for a Braille notice is Tuesday 2 April 2024 at 4 p.m.

    o the deadline for submitting a request for easy-to-understand information material is Tuesday 2 April 2024 at 4 p.m.

    o the deadline for submitting a request for a Braille ballot template is Friday 31 May 2024 at 4 p.m.

    o the deadline for submitting an application for an accessible polling station is 5 June 2024 (Wednesday) 4 p.m.

    You may be assisted in filling in the ballot paper by an assistant of your choice or, if no such person is present, by two members of the polling station commission.

    In addition to the above, voters may also request a mobile ballot box. The conditions for requesting a mobile ballot box are described in the next section.

  • Voters on the electoral roll who:

    o have a disability or health condition,

      • or are detained.

    Those who request a mobile ballot box for other reasons (e.g. work, convenience) shall have their request rejected by the election office or the polling station commission.

    The application for a mobile ballot box can be submitted from 4 April 2024 (Thursday):

    o by mail to the address of any local election office or online without electronic identification no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024,

    o in person or by proxy at any local election office by 10 a.m. on Friday 7 June 2024,

    o by online electronic identification on the day of voting, 9 June 2024 (Sunday) by 12.00 noon,

    o by proxy with or without delivery by 12.00 noon on polling day, 9 June 2024 (Sunday) at the latest

    The mobile ballot box can only be requested to an address where the voter is on the electoral roll.

    It is important to note that voters who have requested a ballot box cannot vote at the polling station in the "traditional way", but only by using a mobile ballot box. If the mobile ballot box is at the polling station, however, you can cast your vote at the polling station.

  • Yes. A voter (including a voter of nationality) who requests to vote in an accessible polling station by 4 p.m. on 5 June 2024 and whose designated polling station at his/her address is non-accessible, will be transferred to an accessible polling station by the local election office. The form for this purpose may be submitted in person or by proxy to any local election office. Also, by online electronic identification.

  • In the case of the election of local government representatives, voters may only apply for absentee voting at the place where they had their place of residence on the 30th day prior to the election, or at the time of the decision on their application for absentee voting, has the same place of residence, and where their place of residence is valid at least until the day of the election.

    In this case, you can apply for a mobile ballot box for your place of residence until 4 p.m. on 31 May 2024, which also constitutes a request for absentee voting. Furthermore, a mobile ballot box may only be requested for an address which is in the territory of the polling district where the voter is registered in the electoral roll.

  • Because of the above legal reference, voters cannot vote in a hospital or prison for municipal and national elections. Only if the address of the institution is in the same polling station as the citizen's address. In such a case, the voter can only vote in the election of a Member of the European Parliament, even by using a mobile ballot box.

  • Only a voter who has the same place of residence on the 30th day prior to the calling of the election or at the time of the examination of his/her application for absentee voting and whose place of residence is valid at least until the day of the election may vote by absentee voting.

    If you decide you want to vote at your place of residence, you can apply for absentee voting from 4 April 2024 (Thursday) to 31 May 2024 (Friday) at 4 p.m. at the election office.

    The application for absentee voting can be submitted from 4 April 2024 (Thursday).

  • Not in municipal elections. However, you can vote in the election of members of the European Parliament in a foreign representation.

  • For the purposes of direct political campaigning, candidates and those drawing up a list may be given the names and addresses of the voters on the electoral roll, as well as their age and sex. However, it is possible for voters to refuse to allow their details to be disclosed for campaign purposes. A voter may submit a request to prohibit the release of data to any local election office in person or by proxy. To submit the application in person, the form can be downloaded here. A request to prohibit the disclosure of data can also be submitted online using electronic identification using this link.

    If you have previously requested a data ban, your request is valid until it is withdrawn, and you do not need to submit a new request.

  • In settlements with 10 000 inhabitants or fewer, local government representatives are elected by the voters of the settlement in a single-list electoral system, where the settlement forms a single constituency. The number of members of the representative body may be 2, 4, 6 or 8, depending on the population of the municipality.

    Voters may vote for a maximum number of candidates equal to the number of representatives who can be elected. The candidates who receive the highest number of valid votes in the number of representatives eligible for election shall be elected as representatives on the individual list. In the event of a tie, the candidates who obtain the same number of votes shall be drawn by lot.

    In the event that

    • at the time the election was called, at least half of the voters in the municipality belonged to the same nationality,
    • no candidate of that nationality has obtained a mandate either as a member of parliament or as mayor, but
    • in the individual list vote, the national minority candidate received more votes than 2/3 of the number of votes of the representative who received the least number of votes,

    then he/she obtains a preferential mandate and the number of representatives in the municipality is increased by one.

  • In municipalities with 10 000 inhabitants or less, the number of representatives is:

    - up to 100 inhabitants 2 persons,

    - up to 1000 inhabitants 4 persons,

    - up to 5000 inhabitants 6 persons,

    - up to 10 000 inhabitants 8 persons.

  • In municipalities with more than 10 000 inhabitants and in the district of the capital, representatives are elected in a mixed electoral system - in single-member constituencies and on a compensatory list.

    A voter may vote for only one candidate in an individual constituency. The candidate with the most votes is elected.

    The compensatory list receives a mandate in proportion to the total number of fractional votes in the constituency. All votes cast for candidates of the nominating organisation in single mandate constituencies which did not result in a mandate shall be considered as fractional votes.

  • The number of single mandate constituencies and the number of compensatory list seats:

    -up to 25 000 inhabitants, 8 single mandate constituencies and 3 compensatory list seats,

    - up to 50 000 inhabitants, 10 single mandate constituency seats and 4 compensatory list seats,

    - up to 75 000 inhabitants, 12 single mandate constituency seats and 5 compensatory list seats,

    - up to 100 000 inhabitants, 14 single mandate constituency seats and 6 compensatory list seats.

    For every additional 10 000 inhabitants, the number of representatives elected in the single mandate constituency increases by one, and for every additional 25 000 inhabitants, the number of representatives elected on the compensation list increases by one.

  • The compensatory list receives a mandate in proportion to the total number of fractional votes in the constituency. All votes cast for candidates of the nominating organisation in single mandate constituencies which did not result in a mandate shall be considered as fractional votes.

    The fractional votes cast for joint candidates shall be placed on the joint compensation list of the nominating organisations fielding a joint candidate.

  • To stand as an individual list candidate or single mandate constituency candidate, you must be recommended as a candidate by at least 1 per cent of the voters in the constituency. An individual list candidate and an individual constituency candidate may also stand as a nationality candidate.

  • In settlements with more than 10 000 inhabitants, a compensation list may be set up by a nominating organisation which has nominated a candidate in more than two thirds of the single member constituencies of the settlement.

    Nationality candidates must be included on a separate nationality compensation list for each nationality.

  • In the election of the members of the capital assembly in Budapest, the nominating organisation that has nominated a candidate for Lord Mayor or a candidate for mayor in at least three of the capital districts may nominate a list for the capital.

  • The members of the capital assembly will be, on the one hand, members who have obtained a mandate from the capital list and, on the other hand, the Lord Mayor.

    The capital list will be elected in proportion to the total votes cast.

  • A nominating organisation can put up a county list if it has collected the recommendations of 0.5 percent of the voters residing in the county (not including voters of a city with county status).

  • Members of the county assembly are elected by voters on a county list. Only one list is valid to vote for. For the purposes of the election, each county shall form a constituency, of which the city with county status and the capital city shall not be a part.

  • Number of the members of the county assembly:

    • 1 representative for every 20 000 inhabitants up to 400 000 inhabitants, but not less than 15,
    • 20 representatives for up to 700 000 inhabitants, and 1 representative for every additional 30 000 inhabitants over 400 000,
    • 30 representatives for every 700 000 inhabitants above 700 000 inhabitants and 1 representative for every additional 40 000 inhabitants above 700 000 inhabitants.

  • Yes, similarly to the parliamentary elections, the entry threshold is 5% for one nominating organisation, 10% for two nominating organisations and 15% for more than two nominating organisations.

  • The mayor is directly elected by the voters of the municipalities (the capital). You can only vote validly for one candidate. The candidate who receives the highest number of valid votes shall be elected mayor (Lord Mayor).

  • Candidates for mayor must be recommended by

    - at least 3 percent of the electorate of a municipality with 10 000 inhabitants or less,

    - at least 300 voters in municipalities with more than 10 000 inhabitants but 100 000 or less,

    - at least 500 voters in municipalities with more than 100 000 inhabitants.

    A candidate for mayor may also stand as a national minority candidate.

  • A candidate for mayor is who has been recommended by at least 5,000 voters in the capital.
    •  in settlements of cities not having county status: three ballot papers (election of municipal government, mayor, and county council)
    •  in towns with county status: two ballot papers (election of municipal government and mayor)
    •  in the districts of Budapest: four ballot papers (election of the members of the district assembly, district mayor, Lord Mayor, and the members of the Capital Assembly)

  • In the election of the local government representatives of settlements with less than 10,000 inhabitants, the maximum number of votes that may be cast is the number of seats allocated (2, 4, 6 or 8), depending on the number of settlements. Only one valid vote may be cast on all other ballot papers. Votes may be cast with two intersecting lines (e.g. X or +).

  • The following election commissions are operating in the municipal elections:

    -  polling station commissions,

    - local election commissions,

    - territorial election commissions,

    - National Election Commission.

  • Their members have already been elected by the local assembly in 2022.

  • Three - five in settlements with one polling district - members and at least two alternate members of the local election commission were elected by the body of representatives of the local government between 1 October and 30 November 2023; their persons were proposed by the head of the local election office. Their members were announced locally in the usual way.

  • The three members of the territorial/capital election commission and at least two alternate members were elected by the Capital Assembly, county assembly between 1 October and 30 November 2023; their nomination was proposed by the head of the territorial election office. Their members were announced locally in the usual way.

  • The members of election commissions delegated by nominating organisations do not have to be residents of the municipality or constituency in question.

CALCULATION OF MANDATES

Calculation of the compensation mandate:

  • You need to create a table with a column of numbers under each list name. The first number in the column is the number of votes for that list. The next numbers in the column are the number of votes for that list divided by three, five, seven, with the new divisor being the value of the previous divisor plus two.
  • You must find the largest number in the table, and whichever list is found in the column of numbers, that list gets a mandate. You then look for the next highest number. Whichever list is found in the column of the list, that list gets a mandate. This procedure must be continued until all the seats have been allocated.
  • If the search for the highest number in the table results in equal highest numbers, then the list that has not yet obtained a mandate, or the list that has obtained fewer mandates, and finally the list that has obtained a lower number of mandates in the list draw, will be given a mandate.
  • If a compensation list receives more seats than the number of people on the list, the seat remains vacant.

The candidates on the compensation list are elected in the order in which they are announced. The candidate who is eliminated is replaced by the next candidate in the order.

If a candidate on the compensation list has been elected mayor or representative in the single member constituency, he shall be removed from the compensation list and replaced by the next candidate on the list.

The compensation list of a nominating organisation shall not be given a mandate if the candidates of the nominating organisation that nominates it have not obtained five percent of the total number of votes cast at the municipal level, or the joint compensation list if the candidates of the nominating organisations that nominate a joint list have not obtained ten percent of the total number of votes cast at the municipal level, or fifteen percent in the case of a joint compensation list nominated by more than two nominating organisations. The threshold shall not apply to the nationality compensation list.

The calculation of the minority compensation mandate:

The votes cast for the candidates on the nationality compensation list in the individual constituency that did not win a mandate are allocated to the nationality compensation list as fractional votes.

The calculation of the number of seats of the members of the Capital Assembly:

The capital lists will be allocated seats in proportion to the votes cast on the lists.

A table must be drawn up with a column of numbers under each list name. The first number in the column shall be the number of votes for that list, the next numbers in the column shall be the number of votes for that list divided by two, three, four, five, in order by consecutive integers.

The table is used to allocate the mandates. You must find the largest number in the table and whichever list is found in the column of numbers, that list gets a mandate. Then you must look for the next highest number. Whichever list is found in the column of the list, that list gets a mandate. This procedure must be continued until all the seats have been allocated.

If there are equal largest numbers when searching for the largest number in the table, then the list that has not yet obtained a mandate, or the list that has obtained fewer mandates, and finally the list that has obtained a smaller number of mandates in the list draw, will be given a mandate.

If a list in the capital receives more seats than the number of persons on the list, the seat remains vacant.

Calculation of the compensation mandate in the case of a capital list:

  • You need to create a table with a column of numbers under each list name. The first number in the column is the number of votes for that list. The next numbers in the column are the number of votes for that list divided by three, five, seven, with the new divisor being the value of the previous divisor plus two.
  • You have to find for the largest number in the table, and whichever list is in the column of numbers, that list gets a mandate. You then look for the next highest number. Whichever list is found in the column of the list, that list gets a mandate. This procedure must be continued until all the seats have been allocated.
  • If the search for the highest number in the table results in equal highest numbers, then the list that has not yet obtained a mandate, or the list that has obtained fewer mandates, and finally the list that has obtained a lower number of mandates in the list draw, will be given a mandate.
  • If a compensation list receives more seats than the number of people on the list, the seat remains vacant. Candidates on a compensation list are allocated seats in the order in which they are declared. The candidate who is eliminated shall be replaced by the next candidate in the order of precedence. If a candidate on the compensation list has been elected mayor or representative in the single member constituency, he shall be removed from the compensation list and replaced by the next candidate on the list.

The compensatory list of a nominating organisation shall not receive a mandate if the candidates of the nominating organisation that nominates it have not obtained five percent of the total compensatory votes cast at the level of the capital, or the joint compensatory list if the joint candidates of the nominating organisations that nominate a joint list have not obtained ten percent of the total compensatory votes cast at the level of the capital, or fifteen percent in the case of a joint compensatory list nominated by more than two nominating organisations.