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COMPARATIVE STATE PRACTICE: TIMING OF STATE AND

LOCAL ELECTIONS






Legal Memorandum







February 2014
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

1
COMPARATIVE STATE PRACTICE: TIMING OF STATE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this memorandum is to examine selected European states practice of either synchronizing or
staggering statewide and local elections.
1


Introduction

Typically, European states follow either synchronized or staggered election cycles. Elections are synchronized
when they occur on the same date at both the statewide level and the local level.
2
In contrast, staggered elections are
offset elections in which the statewide elections occur on a different date than the local elections.
3
In some
extraordinary circumstances, such as the dissolution of Parliament, states that normally hold staggered elections will
hold statewide and local elections at the same time. However, this outcome is not by design, and states will usually
revert to a staggered elections cycle. In addition, every five years, each European Union (EU) Member State holds EU
Parliamentary elections in June.
4
Some Member States plan their statewide or local elections based on the EU
parliamentary elections schedule.







1
In this memorandum, statewide elections consist of parliamentary and presidential elections. Local elections are those used to elect municipal-level
representatives.
2
Karolina Kaiser & Emmanuelle Taugourdeau, The Timing of Elections in Federations: A Disciplining Device Against Soft Budget Constraints?, PUBLIC CHOICE 2
(2009), available at http://www.ieb.ub.edu/aplicacio/fitxers/WS09Taugordeau.pdf.
3
Karolina Kaiser & Emmanuelle Taugourdeau, The Timing of Elections in Federations: A Disciplining Device Against Soft Budget Constraints?, PUBLIC CHOICE 2
(2009), available at http://www.ieb.ub.edu/aplicacio/fitxers/WS09Taugordeau.pdf.
4
Valmyndigheten, Elections in Sweden p. 3, available at http://www.val.se/pdf/electionsinsweden_webb.pdf.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

2



State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Austria Staggered
5
Constitution, Electoral Law Austria holds statewide elections for
members of its National Council, who
serve five-year terms, and its President,
who serves a six-year term.
6
The Lander
(regional sub-states) dictate local election
laws within their borders.
7

Belgium Staggered
8
Electoral Law Elections in Belgium are largely
staggered.
9
Nevertheless, due to the
number of elections at both the state, sub-
state, local, and EU level there are periods
of synchronization that can occur.
10

When elections cycles overlap, the
elections are held on the same day.
11


5
AUSTRIA CONST. arts. 27(1), 60(3) (2010), available at http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Erv/ERV_1930_1/ERV_1930_1.html.
6
AUSTRIA CONST. arts. 27(1), 60(3) (2010), available at http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Erv/ERV_1930_1/ERV_1930_1.html.
7
AUSTRIA CONST. art. 95(4) (2010), available at http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Erv/ERV_1930_1/ERV_1930_1.html.
8
Flanders, Elections in Belgium (Jan, 8, 2014), available at http://www.flanders.be/en/authorities/elections-belgium.
9
Flanders, Elections in Belgium (Jan, 8, 2014), available at http://www.flanders.be/en/authorities/elections-belgium.
10
Flanders, Elections in Belgium (Jan, 8, 2014), available at http://www.flanders.be/en/authorities/elections-belgium.
11
Flemish Government, Election Website Agency Internal Administration (Jan 11, 2014), available at http://www.vlaanderenkiest.be/.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

3
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Bulgaria Staggered
12
Electoral Law Bulgarias elections are staggered;
however, overlap is possible in the event
of Parliaments dissolution.
13
The
President establishes the timing of
elections.
14

Croatia Staggered
15
Constitution, Electoral Law Croatia elects a Parliament and a
President in staggered statewide
elections.
16
At the local level, the
elections of council members and mayors
are synchronized; however, the local
elections are staggered in relation to the
statewide elections.
17


12
Election Resources, Central and Eatern Europe (Aug. 6, 2013), available at http://www.electionresources.org/eastern.europe.html.
13
BULGARIA CONST. art. 64 (2007), available at http://www.parliament.bg/en/const.
14
Central Election Commission, Timing Diagrams (Jan. 11, 2014), available at http://www.cik.bg/hronograma?.
15
Law on Municipal Elections art. 6 (Croatia, 2007), available at http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/329427.html.
16
CROATIA CONST. arts. 72, 95 (2010), available at http://www.constitution.org/cons/croatia.htm.
17
Law on Municipal Elections art. 6 (Croatia, 2007), available at http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/329427.html.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

4
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Cyprus Staggered/Synchronized
18
Constitution, Electoral Law Local elections in Cyprus are
synchronized with parliamentary
elections,
19
but are staggered with
presidential elections.
20

Czech Republic Staggered/Synchronized
21
Constitution The Senate of the Czech Republic serves
six-year terms; however, one third of the
Senate is up for election every two
years.
22
This creates both greater
staggering at the state level as well as
increased synchronization as local council
elections occur every four years.
23


18
Commonwealth Local Government Forum, Country Profile: Cyprus (Jan. 8, 2014), available at
http://www.clgf.org.uk/userfiles/1/files/Cyprus%20local%20government%20profile%202011-12.pdf.
19
Commonwealth Local Government Forum, Country Profile: Cyprus (Jan. 8, 2014), available at
http://www.clgf.org.uk/userfiles/1/files/Cyprus%20local%20government%20profile%202011-12.pdf.
20
CYPRUS CONST. arts. 43, 65 (1960), available at
http://www.presidency.gov.cy/presidency/presidency.nsf/all/1003AEDD83EED9C7C225756F0023C6AD/$file/CY_Constitution.pdf.
21
World Elections, Czech Republic Regional and Senate 2012 (Jan. 11, 2014), available at http://welections.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/czech-republic-regional-and-
senate-2012/.
22
CZECH REPUBLIC CONST. arts. 16(2), 107(1) (2009), available at http://www.hrad.cz/en/czech-republic/constitution-of-the-cr.shtml.
23
World Elections, Czech Republic Regional and Senate 2012 (Jan. 11, 2014), available at http://welections.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/czech-republic-regional-and-
senate-2012/.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

5
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Denmark Staggered
24
Constitution, Electoral Law Denmark holds local elections at fixed
dates every four years.
25
Parliamentary
elections are no more than four years
apart, but the Monarch often calls election
prior to the end of a parliamentary term.
26

Currently, the election cycles are
staggered.
Estonia Staggered
27
Electoral Law The election law requires that local
elections in Estonia, including special
elections, do not overlap directly with
either parliamentary elections or regularly
scheduled local elections.
28


24
Parliamentary Election Act chapter 1. sec 1. para. 6. (Denmark, 2009), available at
http://www.ft.dk/~/media/Pdf_materiale/Pdf_publikationer/English/valgloven_eng_web_samlet%20pdf.ashx.
25
Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Interior, Local Elections (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://elections.oim.dk/local-elections.aspx.
26
Parliamentary Election Act chapter 1. sec 1. para. 6. (Denmark, 2009), available at
http://www.ft.dk/~/media/Pdf_materiale/Pdf_publikationer/English/valgloven_eng_web_samlet%20pdf.ashx.
27
Local Government Council Election Act sec. 4 (Estonia, 2012), available at http://www.legaltext.ee/text/en/X60031K4.htm.
28
Local Government Council Election Act sec. 4 (Estonia, 2012), available at http://www.legaltext.ee/text/en/X60031K4.htm.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

6
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Finland Staggered
29
Constitution In Finland, local elections and
parliamentary elections are held every
four years and are staggered.
30
If
Parliament is dissolved before the end of
its term, however, it is possible for
elections to synchronize.
31

France Staggered/Synchronized
32
Constitution, Electoral Law France has many elections for both state
and local offices.
33
The National
Assembly
34
and Presidential elections are
held during the same calendar year but
are a few months apart.
35
Members of the
Senate serve six-year terms, but elections
for half of the Senate seats occur every
three years.
36
Local offices and mayors
are also elected on differing timetables;
all of which can coincide with statewide
elections.
37


29
FINLAND CONST. chapter 3, sec. 24, 26 (1999), available at http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf.
30
FINLAND CONST. chapter 3, sec. 24 (1999), available at http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf.
31
FINLAND CONST. chapter 3, sec. 26 (1999), available at http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf.
32
Electoral Code (France, 2013), available at http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070239.
33
Electoral Code (France, 2013), available at http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070239.
34
Electoral Code art. LO121 (France, 2013), available at http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070239.
35
FRANCE CONST. art. 6 (2008), available at http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/english/constitution/constitution-of-4-october-
1958.25742.html.
36
Electoral Code art. LO27577 (France, 2013), available at http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070239.
37
Electoral Code (France, 2013), available at http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070239.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

7
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Germany Staggered
38
Constitution, Electoral Law In Germany, the individual federal sub-
state entities (Lander) are all empowered
to dictate their own election cycles and
laws.
39
The result is that Lander and
statewide elections are either
synchronized or staggered depending on
the individual Lander. The Bundestag
(lower house of Parliament) is elected to
four-year terms.
40

Greece Staggered
41
Constitution, Electoral Law Greece holds parliamentary elections
every four years.
42
Although local
elections are due to be held concurrently
with EU Parliament elections in 2014,
this synchronization is merely
coincidental.
43


38
GERMANY CONST. arts. 28, 39 (1991), available at http://www.constitution.org/cons/germany.txt.
39
GERMANY CONST. art. 28 (1991), available at http://www.constitution.org/cons/germany.txt.
40
GERMANY CONST. art. 39 (1991), available at http://www.constitution.org/cons/germany.txt.
41
GREECE CONST. art. 53 (2008), available at http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/UserFiles/f3c70a23-7696-49db-9148-f24dce6a27c8/001-156%20aggliko.pdf.
42
GREECE CONST. art. 53 (2008), available at http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/UserFiles/f3c70a23-7696-49db-9148-f24dce6a27c8/001-156%20aggliko.pdf.
43
Abed Alloush, Double Elections for Greek Citizens in May, GREEK REPORTER (Dec. 11, 2013), available at http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/12/11/double-
elections-for-greek-citizens-in-may/.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

8
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Hungary Synchronized
44
Election Law Hungary holds local elections in the same
year as statewide elections for
Parliament.
45
The local elections occur in
the month of October of an election year,
after the statewide elections have taken
place in April.
46

Ireland Staggered
47
Constitution, Electoral Law Ireland has fixed times for local elections,
which occur every five years.
48
Members
of Parliament serve a maximum term of
five years before an election, but elections
can be called prior to the termination of
the five-year period.
49


44
National Election Office, Municipal Elections 2006 (Feb. 10, 2010), available at http://www.valasztas.hu/en/ovi/206/206_0.html.
45
National Election Office, Municipal Elections 2006 (Feb. 10, 2010), available at http://www.valasztas.hu/en/ovi/206/206_0.html.
46
National Election Office, Municipal Elections 2006 (Feb. 10, 2010), available at http://www.valasztas.hu/en/ovi/206/206_0.html.
47
IRELAND CONST. arts. 16, 28(A)(3) (1999), available at http://www.constitution.org/cons/ireland/constitution_ireland-en.htm.
48
IRELAND CONST. art. 28(A)(3) (1999), available at http://www.constitution.org/cons/ireland/constitution_ireland-en.htm.
49
IRELAND CONST. art. 16 (1999), available at http://www.constitution.org/cons/ireland/constitution_ireland-en.htm.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

9
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Italy Staggered
50
Constitution, Electoral Law Italy is currently undergoing a revision of
its electoral laws after the previous
system was found to be ineffective and
declared unconstitutional on December 4,
2013.
51
Statewide elections to both
houses of the legislature are synchronized
and held every five years.
52
Local
elections are organized at the municipal
level; as a result, local elections occur at
various times and are staggered with the
statewide elections.
53

Kosovo Staggered
54
Constitution, Electoral Law Kosovo elects its parliament every four
years.
55
Local elections have also been
held every four years, staggered with the
statewide elections,
56
but the process is
still evolving as the government of
Kosovo seeks broader participation in
northern Kosovo.
57


50
Election Resources, Elections to the Italian Parliament (Sep. 30, 2013), available at http://electionresources.org/it/.
51
Reuters, Italy's Top Court Rules Electoral Law Breaches Constitution (Dec. 4, 2013), available at http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/04/us-italy-law-
unconstitutional-idUSBRE9B30YW20131204.
52
Election Resources, Elections to the Italian Parliament (Sep. 30, 2013), available at http://electionresources.org/it/.
53
ITALY CONST. art. 117 (2012), available at https://www.senato.it/documenti/repository/istituzione/costituzione_inglese.pdf
54
KOSOVO CONST. art. 66(1) (2008), available at http://www.assembly-kosova.org/common/docs/Constitution1%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20Kosovo.pdf.
55
KOSOVO CONST. art. 66(1) (2008), available at http://www.assembly-kosova.org/common/docs/Constitution1%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20Kosovo.pdf.
56
Law on Local Elections art. 4 (Kosovo), available at http://www.gazetazyrtare.com/e-gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=156&Itemid=56.
57
Economist, Kosovo Elections: Only a Minor Disturbance (Nov. 9, 2013), available at http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21589481-largely-smooth-local-
election-country-turbulent-past-only-minor-disturbance.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

10
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Latvia Staggered
58
Constitution, Electoral Law Both the members of the Latvian
Parliament and the locally elected
officials serve staggered four-year
terms.
59
However, the Parliament can be
dissolved prior to the completion of its
term, resulting in periods of
synchronization.
60

Lithuania Staggered
61
Constitution, Electoral Law Statewide elections for Parliament and for
the President take place every four and
five years, respectively.
62
The Law on
Elections of Municipal Councils staggers
local elections with parliamentary
elections, as Parliament is required to call
for local elections.
63


58
CVK, Local Elections 2013 (Aug. 23, 2013), available at http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30491.html.
59
CVK, Local Elections 2013 (Aug. 23, 2013), available at http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30491.html.
60
LATVIA CONST. art. 48 (1998), available at http://www.saeima.lv/en/legislation/constitution.
61
LITHUANIA CONST. arts. 55, 78 (1992), available at http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm.
62
LITHUANIA CONST. arts. 55, 78 (1992), available at http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm.
63
Law on Election of Municipal Councils art. 7 (Lithuania, 1994), available at http://legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/9070.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

11
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Luxembourg Staggered/Synchronized
64
Electoral Law The Chamber of Deputies (Parliament) is
elected every five years, and elections are
synchronized with the election of EU
Parliament members.
65
Local elections
take place every six years.
66

Macedonia Staggered/Synchronized
67
Electoral Law Both parliamentary and local elections
occur every four years.
68
Nonetheless,
Parliament may be dissolved prior to its
term's completion, resulting in either
staggering or synchronization with local
elections.
69


64
Electoral Law of 2003 arts. 121, 134, 185 (Luxembourg, 2003), available at http://legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/4857.
65
Electoral Law of 2003 arts. 121, 134 (Luxembourg, 2003), available at http://legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/4857.
66
Electoral Law of 2003 art. 185 (Luxembourg, 2003), available at http://legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/4857.
67
Electoral Code arts. 15, 16 (Macedonia, 2006), available at http://legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/5658.
68
Electoral Code arts. 15, 16 (Macedonia, 2006), available at http://legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/5658.
69
MACEDONIA CONST. art. 63 (2001), available at http://www.sobranie.mk/en/?ItemID=9F7452BF44EE814B8DB897C1858B71FF.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

12
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Malta Staggered/Synchronized
70
Constitution, Electoral Law The Maltese Parliament serves five-year
terms.
71
Local elections are staggered
and held every three years.
72
However,
local elections have been synchronized to
coincide with EU Parliamentary
elections.
73


70
Electoral Commission, Elections (Jan. 8, 2014), available at
http://www.electoral.gov.mt/pageview.aspx?x=%2bhwnTRj%2bVUD2s9ouCcJ%2b6Nsifo%2fwv8wZvT96DxzblGLaU2wF4b2GyvJCPI371RiCL5izvrjWLd9TSxrcT
Vy%2b3qDOrwrmDkFOmcUlJ%2bz4i%2fW7kUgIZ66wyw%3d%3d.
71
MALTA CONST. art. 76(2) (1964), available at http://www.constitution.org/cons/malta/chapt0.pdf.
72
Electoral Commission, Elections (Jan. 8, 2014), available at
http://www.electoral.gov.mt/pageview.aspx?x=%2bhwnTRj%2bVUD2s9ouCcJ%2b6Nsifo%2fwv8wZvT96DxzblGLaU2wF4b2GyvJCPI371RiCL5izvrjWLd9TSxrcT
Vy%2b3qDOrwrmDkFOmcUlJ%2bz4i%2fW7kUgIZ66wyw%3d%3d.
73
Electoral Commission, Elections (Jan. 8, 2014), available at
http://www.electoral.gov.mt/pageview.aspx?x=%2bhwnTRj%2bVUD2s9ouCcJ%2b6Nsifo%2fwv8wZvT96DxzblGLaU2wF4b2GyvJCPI371RiCL5izvrjWLd9TSxrcT
Vy%2b3qDOrwrmDkFOmcUlJ%2bz4i%2fW7kUgIZ66wyw%3d%3d.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

13
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Netherlands Staggered/Synchronized
74
Constitution, Electoral Law The Netherlands elects many bodies at
both the state and local level. The
elections are largely staggered, but in one
respect intentionally synchronized.
75

Provincial Councils and the Senate are
elected in the same year, because the
Provincial Councils elect the members of
the Senate.
76


74
Kies Raad, Elections and the Election Law (Nov. 2009), available at https://www.kiesraad.nl/sites/default/files/Brochure%20%20-
%20verkiezingen%20en%20kiesrecht%20(EN).pdf
75
Kies Raad, Elections and the Election Law (Nov. 2009), available at https://www.kiesraad.nl/sites/default/files/Brochure%20%20-
%20verkiezingen%20en%20kiesrecht%20(EN).pdf
76
Kies Raad, Elections and the Election Law (Nov. 2009), available at https://www.kiesraad.nl/sites/default/files/Brochure%20%20-
%20verkiezingen%20en%20kiesrecht%20(EN).pdf
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

14
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Poland Staggered/Synchronized
77
Constitution, Electoral Law Poland elects a president and a bicameral
legislature at the state level. The
President is elected for five-year terms.
78

Both branches of the legislature serve
four-year terms and their elections are
synchronized.
79
The Polish Constitution
grants local authorities the right to
establish their own municipal
government.
80
Local elections are
staggered with state elections, but
synchronized with EU Parliament
elections.
81


77
POLAND CONST. arts. 98, 127, 169 (1997), available at http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm.
78
POLAND CONST. art. 127 (1997), available at http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm.
79
POLAND CONST. arts. 98, 127 (1997), available at http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm.
80
POLAND CONST. arts. 169 (1997), available at http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm.
81
Krzystof Jasiewicz, Poland, FREEDOM HOUSE (2012), available at http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/nations-transit/2012/poland#.Us3KPmRDtYw.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

15
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Portugal Staggered
82
Constitution, Electoral Law Portugal has many elections, including
the National Assembly and President at
the state level and various local and
municipal elections.
83
Additionally, there
are elections for specific autonomous
regions, local government, and the EU
Parliament.
84
The result is that elections
are largely staggered, but there is a
significant amount of overlap depending
on whether the National Assembly is
dissolved before its term of four years.

82
National Elections Commission, Elections/Referendums (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://www.cne.pt/content/eleicoes-referendos.
83
National Elections Commission, Elections/Referendums (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://www.cne.pt/content/eleicoes-referendos.
84
National Elections Commission, Elections/Referendums (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://www.cne.pt/content/eleicoes-referendos.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

16
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Romania Synchronized/Staggered
85
Constitution, Electoral Law Romania elects a President to a five-year
term and both houses of Parliament to
four-year terms.
86
The parliamentary
elections are synchronized.
87
Local
elections occur in the same year as
parliamentary elections.
88
The Romanian
Constitutional Court held unconstitutional
attempts to hold local and parliamentary
elections on the same day.
89

Slovakia Staggered/Synchronized
90
Constitution, Electoral Law Slovakias National Council is elected for
four-year terms.
91
If the National Council
is dissolved, statewide elections can be
held in the same year as local elections.
92

Local elections take place at the
Regional
93
and Municipal
94
level.

85
Wendy Zeldin, Romania: Constitutional Court Holds Election Law Unconstitutional, GLOBAL LEGAL MONITOR (Feb. 1, 2012), available at
http://www.loc.gov/lawweb/servlet/lloc_news?disp3_l205402966_text.
86
ROMANIA CONST. arts. 63, 83 (2003), available at http://www.cdep.ro/pls/dic/site.page?id=371.
87
ROMANIA CONST. arts. 63 (2003), available at http://www.cdep.ro/pls/dic/site.page?id=371.
88
Wendy Zeldin, Romania: Constitutional Court Holds Election Law Unconstitutional, GLOBAL LEGAL MONITOR (Feb. 1, 2012), available at
http://www.loc.gov/lawweb/servlet/lloc_news?disp3_l205402966_text.
89
Wendy Zeldin, Romania: Constitutional Court Holds Election Law Unconstitutional, GLOBAL LEGAL MONITOR (Feb. 1, 2012), available at
http://www.loc.gov/lawweb/servlet/lloc_news?disp3_l205402966_text.
90
SLOVAKIA CONST. art. 73 (1992), available at http://www.slovakia.org/sk-constitution.htm.
91
SLOVAKIA CONST. art. 73 (1992), available at http://www.slovakia.org/sk-constitution.htm.
92
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, Election Statistics (Jan. 11, 2014), available at http://portal.statistics.sk/showdoc.do?docid=30.
93
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, Elections to Governing Regions (Jan. 11, 2014), available at http://portal.statistics.sk/showdoc.do?docid=69.
94
Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, Elections to Municipal Bodies (Jan. 11, 2014), available at http://portal.statistics.sk/showdoc.do?docid=70.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

17
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Slovenia Staggered
95
Constitution, Electoral Law Slovenia staggers all of its elections.
96
At
the statewide level, the President is
elected to five-year terms and the
National Assembly to four-year terms.
97

Local councils and mayors serve four-
year terms.
98

Spain Staggered
99
Constitution, Electoral Law Spain elects the Cortes Generales
(Parliament) every four years, unless
dissolved early.
100
Local elections and
EU Parliamentary elections are on
staggered, fixed schedules.
101


95
Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Elections (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://www.stat.si/eng/tema_splosno_volitve.asp.
96
Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Elections (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://www.stat.si/eng/tema_splosno_volitve.asp.
97
SLOVENIA CONST. arts. 81, 103 (2000), available at http://www.pf.uni-mb.si/datoteke/janja/Angleska%20PT/anglesko-slovenska_urs.pdf.
98
Law on Local Elections art. 24 (Slovenia, 1995), available at http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UNTC/UNPAN015733.pdf.
99
Ministerio del Interior, Elections Held (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://www.infoelectoral.mir.es/Elecciones_celebradas/Elecciones_celebradas.htm.
100
SPAIN CONST. arts. 6869 (1978), available at http://www.congreso.es/portal/page/portal/Congreso/Congreso/Hist_Normas/Norm/const_espa_texto_ingles_0.pdf.
101
Ministerio del Interior, Elections Held (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://www.infoelectoral.mir.es/Elecciones_celebradas/Elecciones_celebradas.htm.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

18
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
Sweden Synchronized/Staggered
102
Constitution, Electoral Law Sweden holds all elections for Parliament
and all local offices in late September
every four years.
103
Elections for the EU
Parliament occur every five years in
July.
104

Switzerland Staggered/Synchronized
105
Constitution, Electoral Law Switzerland has a complex federal system
that produces varied election cycles. The
two branches of the Swiss legislature, the
National Council and the Council of
States, are largely elected at the same
time every four years.
106
As a matter of
tradition, one Canton (Appenzell
Innerrhoden) elects its member to the
Council of States prior to the rest of the
state.
107
Individual Cantons determine
their own election laws and timetables for
local elections.
108


102
Valmyndigheten, Elections in Sweden p. 2, 3, available at http://www.val.se/pdf/electionsinsweden_webb.pdf.
103
Valmyndigheten, Elections in Sweden p. 2, available at http://www.val.se/pdf/electionsinsweden_webb.pdf.
104
Valmyndigheten, Elections in Sweden p. 3, available at http://www.val.se/pdf/electionsinsweden_webb.pdf.
105
All About Switzerland, Political System and Government (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://swiss-government-politics.all-about-switzerland.info/.
106
SWITZERLAND CONST. arts. 149150 (1999), available at http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/1/101.en.pdf.
107
The Federal Assembly, Parliamentary Elections (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://www.parlament.ch/E/WAHLEN-
ABSTIMMUNGEN/PARLAMENTSWAHLEN/Pages/default.aspx.
108
All About Switzerland, Political System and Government (Jan. 8, 2014), available at http://swiss-government-politics.all-about-switzerland.info/.
Timing of State and Local Elections, February 2014

19
State Approach Legal Basis Comment
United Kingdom Staggered
109
Electoral Law Under the Fixed-Terms Parliament Act of
2011, the United Kingdom (UK) holds
regular, statewide elections every five
years.
110
Scotland and Wales will now
also elect their regional legislatures every
five years on the same timetable as the
UKs statewide election.
111
Local
election rules depend on the type of
official being elected and are not
synchronized with the statewide
elections.
112
For instance, the mayoral
candidates and Assembly members are
elected every four years.
113



109
Fixed-Terms Parliament Act of 2011 (United Kingdom, 2011), available at http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-
papers/SN06111/fixedterm-parliaments-act-2011.
110
Fixed-Terms Parliament Act of 2011 (United Kingdom, 2011), available at http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-
papers/SN06111/fixedterm-parliaments-act-2011.
111
Fixed-Terms Parliament Act of 2011 (United Kingdom, 2011), available at http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-
papers/SN06111/fixedterm-parliaments-act-2011.
112
Enfield Council, Types and Frequency of Elections (Sep. 19, 2013), available at
http://www.enfield.gov.uk/info/362/elections_and_your_vote/1014/types_and_frequency_of_elections/2.
113
Enfield Council, Types and Frequency of Elections (Sep. 19, 2013), available at
http://www.enfield.gov.uk/info/362/elections_and_your_vote/1014/types_and_frequency_of_elections/2.

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