• In France, municipal elections are held every six years. Town councillors are elected by direct universal suffrage for renewable terms of six years. Anyone residing in or paying taxes in the commune (municipal area) can apply for election, provided that he or she satisfies the following conditions: be a citizen of France or of a European Union member country, be of age, have full civil and political rights, be registered on the electoral roll.

• The Limoges municipal elections, as in all communes (municipal areas) of more than 3,500 inhabitants, are based on a two-round party list system. In the first round, the party list which has received the absolute majority of votes is awarded half the number of available seats. If no list has received the absolute majority of votes, a second round is held. Half of the seats are then allocated to the list that has received the largest number of votes and the other seats are distributed between all of the other lists (including the majority list) on the basis of the highest average proportional representation. Lists that have not obtained at least 5% of the votes are not included in the distribution of seats, which are allocated to the candidates in their order of presentation on each list.
• In accordance with the size of the commune (demographic category of 100,000 to 149,999 inhabitants), the number of councillors for the city of Limoges is set at 55.
• A public meeting of the town council must be held no sooner than the Friday and no later than the Sunday after the ballot that led to its complete election.
• Under the chairmanship of the oldest member of the town council, the Mayor is elected by secret ballot. The absolute majority is required.

The Mayor’s role consists of executing the decisions of the town council, preparing and proposing the commune’s budget to the town council and being responsible for the administration of the commune. He or she may delegate, by decree, some of his or her functions to one or more deputies or members of the town council (delegated councillors). The Mayor is a registrar of births, marriages and deaths and a law enforcement official. He or she has specific powers, including with regard to personnel employed by the commune and town planning (granting of planning permission). Under the authority of the representative of the French State in the département, the Mayor is empowered to perform functions pertaining to the administrative authorities (publication and execution of laws and regulations, execution of general security measures, special functions attributed by the legislation and the organisation of political or professional elections). He or she oversees the running of the municipal police force whose role is to enforce the orders issued by the Mayor, whereas the national police force is responsible for maintaining public security.

• Deputies are elected during the same session. Their whose numbers cannot exceed 30% of the legally specified number of town councillors. They are elected in a majority list poll, without vote-splitting or preferential voting.

The deputies’ role is to perform the functions entrusted to them by the Mayor and they may be required to replace the Mayor in his or her absence (in the order of their nomination). They perform their duties in one or more specific area(s) corresponding to their skills and motivations: finance, housing, culture, environment, etc.

The Mayor and his or her deputies form the Municipal Executive.

• Thus formed, the Town Council is required by law to meet once every quarter. The sessions are held in public and are chaired by the Mayor. All of the affairs concerning the commune are deliberated, with decisions taken by an absolute majority of the votes cast. Announcements may be issued in these meetings concerning any issues of local interest. Rules of procedure concerning the operating procedures for the Town Council are adopted within six months of its establishment.

Registering to vote

In order to be eligible to vote, you must be registered on the electoral roll for your commune (municipal area).

• If you have recently moved to the commune (the town hall will take charge of removing your name from the electoral roll of your previous commune)…
• If you have changed address while remaining in the commune…
• If you have reached the age of 18…
• If you have become a French citizen…
• If you are a citizen of a European Union country…

Where and when to enrol

Where ?

• At the Service des éléctions (Electoral Department) of the Town Hall
• At the municipal outposts in Beaune les Mines or Landouge
• At the Beaubreuil administrative office
• In the “La mairie chez vous” (The Town Hall Comes to You) mobile municipal services bus

When ?

At any time of the year up to and including 31 December. You can the vote from 1 March of the following year (after the annual review of the electoral roll).

Who is allowed to vote?

In the municipal elections: anyone of French nationality and citizens of European Union countries who are registered on the electoral roll.

If you are going to be absent or are unable to attend the polling station on the voting date: vote by proxy.

Voting by proxy allows you to be represented by an elector of your choice on the voting date. In order to vote on your behalf, the chosen elector (authorised representative) must :

• Be enrolled in the same commune as the person issuing the proxy (the principal), but not necessarily in the same polling station
• Have received no more than one proxy, unless the proxy has been issued abroad (in which case the authorised representative may receive two proxies: one issued in France and the other abroad, or two proxies issued abroad).

Compulsory conditions

The following reasons allow for voting by proxy:

• Professional obligations preventing the principal from being present at his or her polling station on the election date
• Health condition, handicap or provision of assistance to a sick or infirm person, due to education or training obligations
• Attendance on an education or training course preventing the principal from attending his or her polling station on the election date
• Holidays
• Registration on the electoral roll of a commune other than one’s place of residence.

Where to apply to vote by proxy:

In Limoges, applications can be made at:

• The Tribunal d’Instance (Subdistrict Court), 11 bd Gambetta, Tel. +33 (0)5.55.11.82.06
• The Commissariat de Police (Police Headquarters) 84, avenue Emile Labussière, Tel. +33 (0)5.55.14.30.05

The principal must present an identity card or document and complete a sworn declaration specifying the reason why he or she is unable to participate in the vote in person. A judicial police officer may visit the home of disabled or seriously ill principals upon receipt of a written request accompanied by a medical certificate.

When to apply

Proxy authorisations can be issued at any time of the year. You are advised to apply well in advance and not to wait until the last moment. The municipality must receive its copy of the proxy authorisation sheet no later than the day before the vote.

Validity

Proxy authorisation are normally only issued for a single election and may be valid for both rounds, or just for a single round. However, at the principal’s request, a proxy authorisation may be issued for a maximum period of one year from its date of issue.

Procedures

The principal is responsible for notifying his or her authorised representative. On the day of the vote, the authorised representative must report to the principal’s polling station, present an identity card or document proving his or her identity and vote on behalf of the principal.

On the day of the vote

You must go to the polling station whose address is shown on your polling card. You must ensure that you have your polling card and have an identity card or document in your possession.

You have now participated in the election of your next conseil municipal (Town Council).

1st results - ville de Limoges

Suscribeds : 80 383 ; Votes : 49 888 (65,063 %) ; no white : 47 931 (96,077 %)