Álava (Basque : Araba ) is one of the three constituencies (Spanish: circunscripciones ) represented in the Basque Parliament , the regional legislature of the Basque Autonomous Community . The constituency currently elects 25 deputies . Its boundaries correspond to those of the Spanish province of Álava . The electoral system uses the D'Hondt method and a closed-list proportional representation , with a minimum threshold of three percent.
The constituency was created as per the Statute of Autonomy for the Basque Country of 1979 and was first contested in the 1980 regional election . The Statute provided for the three provinces in the Basque Country —Álava , Biscay and Gipuzkoa —to be established as multi-member districts in the Basque Parliament , with this regulation being maintained under the 1983 and 1990 regional electoral laws. Each constituency is allocated a fixed number of 25 seats each, to provide for an equal representation of the three provinces in Parliament as required under the regional Statute. The exception was the 1980 election, when this number was 60.[ 3] [ 4] [ 5]
Voting is on the basis of universal suffrage , which comprises all nationals over eighteen, registered in the Basque Country and in full enjoyment of their political rights. Amendments to the electoral law in 2011 required for Basques abroad to apply for voting before being permitted to vote, a system known as "begged" or expat vote (Spanish : Voto rogado ) which was abolished in 2022.[ 6] [ 7] Seats are elected using the D'Hondt method and a closed list proportional representation , with an electoral threshold of three percent of valid votes—which, until 1983 and from 1990 includes blank ballots; also and until a 2000 reform, the threshold was set at five percent—being applied in each constituency.[ 3] [ 4] [ 5] The use of the D'Hondt method may result in a higher effective threshold, depending on the district magnitude .[ 8]
The electoral law allows for parties and federations registered in the interior ministry , coalitions and groupings of electors to present lists of candidates. Parties and federations intending to form a coalition ahead of an election are required to inform the relevant Electoral Commission within ten days of the election call—fifteen before 1985—whereas groupings of electors need to secure the signature of at least one percent of the electorate in the constituencies for which they seek election—one-thousandth of the electorate, with a compulsory minimum of 500 signatures, until 1983; and only the signature of 500 electors from 1983 to 1990—disallowing electors from signing for more than one list of candidates.[ 4] [ 5] [ 9] [ 10]
2024 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 21 April 2024 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Basque Country Gather (EH Bildu) 44,815 29.15 +4.51 8 +2 Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 41,111 26.74 –5.18 7 –2 Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) 24,911 16.20 +0.70 4 ±0 People's Party (PP)1 24,429 15.89 +4.49 4 +1 Vox (Vox) 5,656 3.68 –0.09 1 ±0 Unite (Sumar)2 5,630 3.66 n/a 1 ±0 United We Can –Green Alliance (Podemos/Ahal Dugu–AV)2 3,681 2.39 n/a 0 –1 Animalist Party with the Environment (PACMA)3 974 0.63 +0.04 0 ±0 Blank Seats to Leave Empty Seats (EB/AZ) 691 0.45 +0.07 0 ±0 For a Fairer World (PUM+J) 301 0.20 –0.02 0 ±0 Welcome (OE) 187 0.12 +0.07 0 ±0 Blank ballots 1,369 0.88 –0.03 Total 153,755 25 ±0 Valid votes 153,755 98.95 –0.03 Invalid votes 1,624 1.05 +0.03 Votes cast / turnout 155,379 59.39 +10.39 Abstentions 106,244 40.61 –10.39 Registered voters 261,623 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
2020 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 12 July 2020 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 40,067 31.92 +3.91 9 +1 Basque Country Gather (EH Bildu) 30,934 24.64 +6.84 6 +1 Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) 19,452 15.50 +2.60 4 +1 People's Party+Citizens (PP +Cs )1 14,316 11.40 –10.22 3 –2 United We Can–United Left (Podemos/Ahal Dugu , Ezker Anitza–IU ) 10,092 8.04 –8.07 2 –2 Vox (Vox) 4,734 3.77 +3.26 1 +1 Equo Greens–Greens of the Basque Country (Equo Berdeak–Verdes) 2,746 2.19 New 0 ±0 Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals (PACMA/ATTKAA) 741 0.59 –0.40 0 ±0 Blank Seats (EB/AZ) 475 0.38 +0.13 0 ±0 For a Fairer World (PUM+J) 282 0.22 New 0 ±0 Zero Cuts –The Greens –Municipalists (Recortes Cero–LV–M) 266 0.21 –0.23 0 ±0 Free for the Basque Country (LxE/EaL) 169 0.13 New 0 ±0 Welcome (Ongi Etorri) 64 0.05 –0.03 0 ±0 Foralist League (LFF) 51 0.04 New 0 ±0 Blank ballots 1,142 0.91 +0.20 Total 125,531 25 ±0 Valid votes 125,531 98.98 –0.29 Invalid votes 1,300 1.02 +0.29 Votes cast / turnout 126,831 49.00 –10.74 Abstentions 132,015 51.00 +10.74 Registered voters 258,846 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
2016 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 25 September 2016 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 42,327 28.01 +2.50 8 +1 People's Party (PP) 27,877 18.45 –0.23 5 ±0 Basque Country Gather (EH Bildu) 26,899 17.80 –3.94 5 –1 United We Can (Podemos , Ezker Anitza–IU , Equo )1 24,339 16.11 +10.47 4 +4 Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) 19,489 12.90 –6.13 3 –3 Citizens–Party of the Citizenry (C's) 4,784 3.17 New 0 ±0 Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals (PACMA/ATTKAA) 1,498 0.99 +0.56 0 ±0 Let's Win the Basque Country: Yes We Can (Ganemos Irabazi) 856 0.57 New 0 ±0 Vox (Vox) 771 0.51 New 0 ±0 Zero Cuts –Green Group (Recortes Cero–GV) 664 0.44 New 0 ±0 Blank Seats (EB/AZ) 385 0.25 –1.22 0 ±0 Welcome (Ongi Etorri) 124 0.08 +0.02 0 ±0 Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD) n/a n/a –3.47 0 –1 Blank ballots 1,078 0.71 –0.73 Total 151,091 25 ±0 Valid votes 151,091 99.27 –0.74 Invalid votes 1,113 0.73 +0.74 Votes cast / turnout 152,204 59.74 –3.85 Abstentions 102,557 40.26 +3.85 Registered voters 254,761 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
2012 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 21 October 2012 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 40,116 25.51 –4.51 7 –1 Basque Country Gather (EH Bildu)1 34,193 21.74 +13.94 6 +5 Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) 30,358 19.30 –11.87 6 –3 People's Party (PP) 29,374 18.68 –2.43 5 –1 Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD) 5,453 3.47 –0.46 1 ±0 United Left–The Greens: Plural Left (IU–LV) 4,579 2.91 New 0 ±0 Equo Greens–Basque Ecologists (Equo)2 4,287 2.73 +1.91 0 ±0 United Left–Greens (EB–B) 2,488 1.58 –1.73 0 ±0 Blank Seats (EB/AZ) 2,309 1.47 New 0 ±0 Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals (PACMA/ATTKAA) 669 0.43 New 0 ±0 For a Fairer World (PUM+J) 638 0.41 –0.11 0 ±0 Humanist Party (PH) 223 0.14 New 0 ±0 Communist Unification of Spain (UCE) 154 0.10 New 0 ±0 Welcome (Ongi Etorri) 101 0.06 New 0 ±0 Community Integration Party (PYC) 59 0.04 New 0 ±0 Blank ballots 2,270 1.44 +0.26 Total 157,271 25 ±0 Valid votes 157,271 98.53 +4.14 Invalid votes 2,348 1.47 –4.14 Votes cast / turnout 159,619 63.59 –1.48 Abstentions 91,375 36.41 +1.48 Registered voters 250,994 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
2009 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 1 March 2009 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) 47,523 31.17 +5.87 9 +2 Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV)1 45,767 30.02 n/a 8 +2 People's Party (PP) 32,188 21.11 –4.64 6 –1 Aralar (Aralar) 6,613 4.34 +2.85 1 +1 Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD) 5,990 3.93 New 1 +1 Basque Solidarity (EA)1 5,280 3.46 n/a 0 –2 United Left–Greens (EB–B) 5,053 3.31 –1.61 0 –1 The Greens (B/LV) 1,246 0.82 New 0 ±0 For a Fairer World (PUM+J) 792 0.52 New 0 ±0 Internationalist Socialist Workers' Party (POSI) 209 0.14 ±0.00 0 ±0 Communist Party of the Basque Homelands (PCTV/EHAK) n/a n/a –13.16 0 –2 Blank ballots 1,797 1.18 +0.43 Total 152,458 25 ±0 Valid votes 152,458 94.39 –5.21 Invalid votes 9,060 5.61 +5.21 Votes cast / turnout 161,518 65.07 –4.18 Abstentions 86,713 34.93 +4.18 Registered voters 248,231 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
2005 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 17 April 2005 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Basque Nationalist Party–Basque Solidarity (PNV –EA ) 51,986 30.44 –3.11 8 –1 People's Party (PP) 43,989 25.75 –6.72 7 –2 Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) 43,216 25.30 +4.87 7 +2 Communist Party of the Basque Homelands (PCTV/EHAK)1 14,187 13.16 +7.03 2 +1 United Left–Greens (EB–B)2 8,409 4.92 –1.00 1 ±0 Alavese Unity (UA) 3,765 2.20 New 0 ±0 Aralar (Aralar) 2,542 1.49 New 0 ±0 Greens –Anti-Bullfighting Party Against Mistreatment of Animals (B–PACMA) 851 0.50 New 0 ±0 Humanist Party (PH) 340 0.20 –0.37 0 ±0 Internationalist Socialist Workers' Party (POSI) 234 0.14 New 0 ±0 Blank ballots 1,284 0.75 –0.13 Total 170,803 25 ±0 Valid votes 170,803 99.60 +0.15 Invalid votes 689 0.40 –0.15 Votes cast / turnout 171,492 69.25 –9.79 Abstentions 76,153 30.75 +9.79 Registered voters 247,645 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
2001 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 13 May 2001 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Basque Nationalist Party–Basque Solidarity (PNV –EA )1 64,832 33.55 +5.62 9 +2 People's Party (PP)1 62,737 32.47 –2.58 9 ±0 Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) 39,469 20.43 +3.62 5 ±0 Basque Citizens (EH) 11,836 6.13 –5.93 1 –2 United Left (IU/EB) 11,430 5.92 +0.29 1 ±0 Humanist Party (PH) 1,095 0.57 +0.34 0 ±0 Freedom (Askatasuna) 137 0.07 New 0 ±0 Blank ballots 1,694 0.88 –0.48 Total 193,230 25 ±0 Valid votes 193,230 99.45 +0.04 Invalid votes 1,070 0.55 –0.04 Votes cast / turnout 194,300 79.04 +8.77 Abstentions 51,503 20.96 –8.77 Registered voters 245,830 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
1998 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 25 October 1998 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− People's Party (PP) 45,470 26.66 +10.74 7 +3 Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 36,923 21.65 –0.10 6 ±0 Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE)) 28,670 16.81 +1.22 5 +1 Basque Citizens (EH)1 20,567 12.06 +1.98 3 +1 Alavese Unity (UA) 14,305 8.39 –10.13 2 –3 Basque Solidarity (EA) 10,718 6.28 –0.96 1 –1 United Left (IU/EB) 9,606 5.63 –3.45 1 –1 Basque Country Greens (EHB) 864 0.51 New 0 ±0 Natural Law Party (PLN/LNA) 750 0.44 New 0 ±0 Humanist Party (PH) 387 0.23 New 0 ±0 Blank ballots 2,315 1.36 –0.25 Total 170,575 25 ±0 Valid votes 170,575 99.41 +0.06 Invalid votes 1,005 0.59 –0.06 Votes cast / turnout 171,580 70.27 +9.58 Abstentions 72,604 29.73 –9.58 Registered voters 244,184 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
1994 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 23 October 1994 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 29,911 21.75 –0.56 6 ±0 Alavese Unity (UA) 25,469 18.52 +7.47 5 +2 People's Party (PP) 21,885 15.92 +5.09 4 +1 Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE–EE (PSOE))1 21,431 15.59 –12.29 4 –4 Popular Unity (HB) 13,865 10.08 –2.62 2 –1 United Left (IU/EB) 12,484 9.08 +7.94 2 +2 Basque Solidarity (EA) 9,958 7.24 –0.89 2 ±0 Coalition for a New Socialist Party (NPS)2 283 0.21 +0.07 0 ±0 Blank ballots 2,214 1.61 +0.81 Total 137,500 25 ±0 Valid votes 137,500 99.35 +0.03 Invalid votes 898 0.65 –0.03 Votes cast / turnout 138,398 60.69 +0.45 Abstentions 89,633 39.31 –0.45 Registered voters 228,031 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
1990 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 28 October 1990 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 28,341 22.31 +2.22 6 +1 Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE–PSOE) 26,894 21.17 –3.71 6 –1 Popular Unity (HB) 16,139 12.70 –0.10 3 ±0 Alavese Unity (UA) 14,034 11.05 New 3 +3 People's Party (PP)1 13,758 10.83 +3.98 3 +2 Basque Solidarity (EA) 10,332 8.13 –6.41 2 –2 Basque Country Left (EE) 8,526 6.71 –4.21 2 –1 Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) 2,436 1.92 –6.08 0 –2 United Left (IU/EB) 1,451 1.14 +0.83 0 ±0 Ruiz-Mateos Group –European Democratic Alliance (ARM–ADE) 1,213 0.95 New 0 ±0 Socialist Democracy (DS) 803 0.63 New 0 ±0 The Ecologist Greens (LVE) 676 0.53 New 0 ±0 Basque Country Greens (EHB) 542 0.43 New 0 ±0 Workers' Socialist Party (PST) 465 0.37 +0.03 0 ±0 Alliance for the Republic (AxR)2 178 0.14 +0.01 0 ±0 Humanist Party (PH) 130 0.10 –0.07 0 ±0 Revolutionary Communist League –Communist Movement (LKI–EMK) 114 0.09 New 0 ±0 Blank ballots 1,010 0.80 +0.23 Total 127,042 25 ±0 Valid votes 127,042 99.32 –0.05 Invalid votes 868 0.68 +0.05 Votes cast / turnout 127,910 60.24 –10.04 Abstentions 84,441 39.76 +10.04 Registered voters 212,351 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
1986 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 30 November 1986 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE–PSOE) 34,806 24.88 –0.18 7 ±0 Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 28,103 20.09 –15.40 5 –4 Basque Solidarity (EA) 20,349 14.54 New 4 +4 Popular Unity (HB) 17,912 12.80 +2.02 3 ±0 Basque Country Left (EE) 15,277 10.92 +3.25 3 +1 Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) 11,195 8.00 New 2 +2 People's Alliance –Liberal Party (AP–PL)1 9,584 6.85 –9.37 1 –3 Workers' Socialist Party (PST) 474 0.34 New 0 ±0 United Left (IU/EB) 429 0.31 New 0 ±0 Communist Party of the Basque Country (PCE/EPK) 389 0.28 –0.62 0 ±0 Humanist Party (PH) 237 0.17 New 0 ±0 Internationalist Socialist Workers' Party (POSI) 182 0.13 New 0 ±0 Republican Popular Unity (UPR) 126 0.09 New 0 ±0 Blank ballots2 799 0.57 –0.23 Total 139,905 25 ±0 Valid votes 139,905 99.37 +0.17 Invalid votes 892 0.63 –0.17 Votes cast / turnout 140,797 70.28 +3.09 Abstentions 59,551 29.72 –3.09 Registered voters 200,348 Sources[ 11] [ 12] Footnotes:
1 People's Alliance –Liberal Party results are compared to People's Coalition totals in the 1984 election.2 The 1983 electoral law provided that blank ballots would not count as valid votes for the application of the 5 percent threshold in each district. However, this rule was not determinant in excluding any party from seat distribution during its time of application (the 1984 and 1986 elections). As a result, and for comparison purposes, blank ballots are shown here included within valid votes.
1984 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 26 February 1984 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 44,583 35.49 +5.43 9 +2 Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE–PSOE) 31,485 25.06 +11.10 7 +4 People's Coalition (AP –PDP –UL )1 20,380 16.22 +10.49 4 +3 Popular Unity (HB) 13,539 10.78 –3.28 3 ±0 Basque Country Left (EE) 9,633 7.67 –1.51 2 ±0 Left Socialist Candidacy (CSI) 2,507 2.00 New 0 ±0 Neighborhood Labor (Auzolan)2 1,368 1.09 –0.09 0 ±0 Communist Party of the Basque Country (PCE/EPK) 1,127 0.90 –2.11 0 ±0 Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) n/a n/a –19.68 0 –4 Blank ballots3 1,001 0.80 +0.22 Total 125,623 25 +5 Valid votes 125,623 99.20 +0.12 Invalid votes 1,011 0.80 –0.12 Votes cast / turnout 126,634 67.19 +8.12 Abstentions 61,832 32.81 –8.12 Registered voters 188,466 Sources[ 11] [ 12] Footnotes:
1 People's Coalition results are compared to People's Alliance totals in the 1980 election.2 Auzolan results are compared to the combined totals of Communist Movement of the Basque Country and Revolutionary Communist League in the 1980 election.3 The 1983 electoral law provided that blank ballots would not count as valid votes for the application of the 5 percent threshold in each district. However, this rule was not determinant in excluding any party from seat distribution during its time of application (the 1984 and 1986 elections). As a result, and for comparison purposes, blank ballots are shown here included within valid votes.
1980 regional election [ edit ] Summary of the 9 March 1980 Basque Parliament election results in Álava Parties and alliances Popular vote Seats Votes % ±pp Total +/− Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) 31,640 30.06 n/a 7 n/a Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) 20,716 19.68 n/a 4 n/a People's Unity (HB) 14,804 14.06 n/a 3 n/a Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE–PSOE) 14,694 13.96 n/a 3 n/a Basque Country Left (EE) 9,658 9.18 n/a 2 n/a People's Alliance (AP) 6,029 5.73 n/a 1 n/a Communist Party of the Basque Country (PCE/EPK) 3,168 3.01 n/a 0 n/a Basque Socialists' Unity Force (ESEI) 1,366 1.30 n/a 0 n/a Communist Movement of the Basque Country (EMK/MCE) 797 0.76 n/a 0 n/a Workers' Party of the Basque Country (ORT –PTE ) 726 0.69 n/a 0 n/a Carlist Party (EKA/PC) 461 0.44 n/a 0 n/a Revolutionary Communist League (LKI/LCR) 438 0.42 n/a 0 n/a Communist Unity (UC) 158 0.15 n/a 0 n/a Blank ballots 609 0.58 n/a Total 105,264 20 n/a Valid votes 105,264 99.08 n/a Invalid votes 975 0.92 n/a Votes cast / turnout 106,239 59.07 n/a Abstentions 73,605 40.93 n/a Registered voters 179,844 Sources[ 11] [ 12]
^ From 2023. ^ Until 2023. ^ "Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero. Población por provincias y por sexo" . ine.es (in Spanish). National Institute of Statistics . Retrieved 8 February 2020 . ^ "Elecciones al Parlamento del País Vasco y al Parlamento de Galicia del 12 de julio de 2020" (PDF) . www.ine.es (in Spanish). National Institute of Statistics . 22 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020 . ^ a b Ley Orgánica 3/1979, de 18 de diciembre, de Estatuto de Autonomía para el País Vasco (Organic Law 3) (in Spanish). 18 December 1979. Retrieved 17 July 2017 . ^ a b c Ley 28/1983, de 25 de noviembre, de Elecciones al Parlamento Vasco (Law 28) (in Spanish). 25 November 1983. Retrieved 8 August 2017 . ^ a b c Ley 5/1990, de 15 de junio, de Elecciones al Parlamento Vasco (Law 5) (in Spanish). 15 June 1990. Retrieved 17 July 2017 . ^ Reig Pellicer, Naiara (16 December 2015). "Spanish elections: Begging for the right to vote" . cafebabel.co.uk . Retrieved 17 July 2017 . ^ Araque Conde, Pilar (8 June 2022). "El Congreso acaba con el voto rogado: diez años de trabas burocráticas para los residentes en el extranjero" . Público (in Spanish). Madrid. Retrieved 31 July 2022 . ^ Gallagher, Michael (30 July 2012). "Effective threshold in electoral systems" . Trinity College, Dublin. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017 . ^ Real Decreto-ley 20/1977, de 18 de marzo, sobre Normas Electorales (Royal Decree-Law 20) (in Spanish). 18 March 1977. Retrieved 14 December 2019 . ^ Ley Orgánica 5/1985, de 19 de junio, del Régimen Electoral General (Organic Law 5) (in Spanish). 19 June 1985. Retrieved 30 January 2020 . ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Election Results Archive" . euskadi.eus (in Spanish). Basque Government. Retrieved 9 May 2024 . ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Basque Parliament elections since 1980" . historiaelectoral.com (in Spanish). Electoral History. Retrieved 9 May 2024 .
42°50′N 2°45′W / 42.833°N 2.750°W / 42.833; -2.750