eleccion

Elección, from the Spanish word for 'election', is the process by which eligible citizens cast votes to select public officials or decide policy through a vote. The term derives from Latin electio, from eligere, 'to choose'.

In modern usage, elections can be general, local, or national, and may involve choosing heads of state, legislators, or both. Some elections are for direct decision-making, such as referendums or plebiscites; others select representatives to form a government. Voting methods vary by jurisdiction and may include plurality or first-past-the-post, majority systems, proportional representation, mixed systems, and ranked-choice voting.

Key components of an electoral process include voter registration, candidate nominations, campaigning, casting ballots, vote counting, and certification of results. Electoral safeguards—independence of electoral authorities, transparent procedures, and the presence of observers—help ensure legitimacy and public trust. Secret ballots protect voter privacy and reduce coercion.

Suffrage, the right to vote, has expanded over time to include more groups and reduce barriers based on gender, race, class, or nationality. Most modern democracies aim for universal suffrage for citizens of voting age, subject to residency or eligibility rules. Campaign finance rules and anti-corruption measures are common elements of election law.

Historically, modern elections emerged with the rise of representative government in Europe and the Americas, followed by global spread and ongoing reforms. The design of electoral systems shapes party competition, representation, and government formation, making the choice of system central to political outcomes.