What do you need to take with you to the polling station? How does the postal vote work and what is the difference between the majority and proportional voting system? Find out more in our handy guide.
Why do municipal elections matter?
Municipalities are the smallest administrative entity in Luxembourg and thereby closest to the country's residents. The autonomy of municipalities is also retained in Luxembourg's constitution.
Municipalities are considered 'legal personalities'. Their missions include the management of municipal patrimony, the establishing of a police regulation to ensure public order, the provision of potable water and the treatment of wastewater, as well as general waste management.
Read more here.
Proportional voting system
In municipalities with at least 3,000 residents, elections take place according to the proportional voting system.
This means that each voter has as many votes as there are councillors to elect. Each box after the name of a candidate can be ticked with a +, an x, or coloured and counts as one vote for that person. Voters can allocate up to two votes to each of the candidates, but no more than the maximum number of votes in total. The ballot papers will state the maximum number of votes that can be made.
As parties stand for election in the country's largest municipalities, people have the option to black out one of the circles at the top of the paper, which then gives every person on that list a vote.
It is also possible to make fewer votes than available posts.
Majority voting system
In municipalities with a population of under 3,000 residents, elections take place according to the system of relative majority. This is the case in 46 towns, out of which six already have their election decided as only as many candidates ran as there are open positions on the local council.
There are no parties running in majority system towns, only individual candidates. Voters can allocate a maximum of one vote per candidate.
Luxembourg's smallest municipal councils have seven members. This is the case in towns with fewer than 999 residents.
At the polling station
What do you need to take with you to the polling station? Ideally, just an identity card or a passport. Non-Luxembourgers can bring their residence permit.
You do not need to bring a pen as you will only be permitted to use the pens provided at the polling station.
Polling offices will be open from 8am to 2pm on Sunday. However, if you are in a queue at closing time, you will still be permitted to vote. The most important thing is to turn up at the polling station before 2pm.
Postal vote
Postal ballots must be received at the respective polling stations by 2pm on Sunday. To ensure they are received on time, they should be posted on Wednesday morning at the latest.
Ballot papers must be placed in the accompanying ballot envelope with the stamp on the outside, then placed in an outer envelope for posting. The attached convocation letter should contain detailed instructions.
Results
In the 2017 municipal elections, the towns of Winseler, Feulen, and Bech were the first to have all their votes counted, wrapping up even before 2pm. Pétange was the last town to count votes and finished by 12.30am. A recount was needed in Kayl, which is why the municipality sent in their results the following day.
