Info
Disclaimer: This section of Comparative Data is not being updated.
Users should be aware that data may be inaccurate. If you find inaccuracies please
contact the ACE facilitators .
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
b . No, existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Comments: For elections to the Chamber of Representatives each Department forms one constituency. For presidential elections and elections to the Senate the whole country forms one constituency.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, arts. 88, 94, 151, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: For elections to the Chamber of Representatives each Department forms one constituency. For presidential elections and elections to the Senate the whole country forms one constituency.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, arts. 88, 94, 151, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: For elections to the Chamber of Representatives each Department forms one constituency. For presidential elections and elections to the Senate the whole country forms one constituency.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, arts. 88, 94, 151, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
a . Head of State is the Head of Government c . Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The executive power is exercised by the President who is both the head of state and the head of government. The president and vice-president are elected jointly and directly by absolute majority of voters.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, arts. 149, 150, 151, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
b . Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The president, who is both the head of state and the head of government, is elected by absolute majority of votes. If none of the candidates obtains the required majority, a second round of elections is held between the two candidates with the most votes on the last Sunday of the month of November of the same year.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, arts. 149, 150, 151, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, arts. 149-159, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The General Assembly is composed of two chambers: the Chamber of Representatives and the Chamber of Senators.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, arts. 83, 84, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
g . List Proportional Representation
Comments: The Chamber of Representatives is composed of 99 members elected directly by the people under a system of proportional representation through a simple quotient.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, arts. 88, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Electoral law: Ley de Elecciones (Ley No. 7812), https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-ley-de-elecciones-ley-no.-7812-2014/view (2000).
Ley del Registro Cívico Nacional (Ley No. 7690), https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-ley-7690-del-registro-civico-nacional-2014/view
Ley del funcionamiento de los partidos políticos (Ley No. 18485), https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/ururguay-ley-18485-del-funcionamiento-de-partidos/view (2009).
Verified: 2024/12/18
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections b . Regional elections c . Local elections d . Referendums
Comments:
Source: Electoral law: Ley de Elecciones (Ley No. 7812), https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-ley-de-elecciones-ley-no.-7812-2014/view (2000).
Verified: 2024/12/18
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
c . Voting is compulsory and regulated in the constitution
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 77 https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
b . EMB
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 322 https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level d . Other kinds of elections (church, union, etc.) Please specify.
Comments: Other kinds of elections: university authorities, representatives of pensioners, workers and firms.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 77 (9) https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: The Electoral Council elaborates its budget, which is submitted to the legislature.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 220, 323 https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
e . Another organ within the national government
Comments: The Court of Auditors
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 211, 323 https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
c . For an unspecified period
Comments: Although the term is not specified it is usually less than 5 years, as long as the Congress can add up the 2/3 of votes needed to appoint the members of the Electoral Court.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 324 https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: The Electoral Council is composed of 9 members.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 324 https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
c . Combination of partisanship and expertise
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 324 https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
e . Legislature g . Political parties
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 324 https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body c . Local/County Electoral Management Bodies
Comments:
Source: Corte Electoral: https://www.gub.uy/corte-electoral/
Verified: 2024/12/18
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
a . Continuously
Comments:
Source: Corte Electoral: https://www.gub.uy/corte-electoral/
Verified: 2024/12/18
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source: Corte Electoral: https://www.gub.uy/corte-electoral/
Verified: 2024/12/18
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 77, 80 (3), https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship b . Period of Residence e . Other
Comments: Foreigners of good conduct can vote provided that they have at least 15 years of residence, they work or they posses capital or property in the country.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 77, 78, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: The Electoral Council
Source: Electoral law: Ley de Elecciones (Ley No. 7812), art. 1, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-ley-de-elecciones-ley-no.-7812-2014/view (2000).
Ley del Registro Cívico Nacional (Ley No. 7690), art. 1, 3, 12 https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-ley-7690-del-registro-civico-nacional-2014/view
Verified: 2024/12/18
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 77, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Electoral law: Ley de Elecciones (Ley No. 7812), art. 1, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-ley-de-elecciones-ley-no.-7812-2014/view (2000).
Verified: 2024/12/18
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Signature requirement (specify requirement) f . Other
Comments: The persons who want to register a political parties must state so before the Electoral Court and file, along with the constitution documents of the party, the signatures of at least 0.5% of the registered voters in the last national election by which they express their adherence to said political party and its principles.
Source: Ley de partidos políticos (Ley No. 18485), art. 7, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/ururguay-ley-18485-del-funcionamiento-de-partidos/view (2009).
Verified: 2024/12/18
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship j . Other
Comments: Age: 25 years
Citizenship: Uruguayan citizenship by birth or legal citizenship for at least 5 years.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 90, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
a . Neither in presidential nor legislative elections
Comments: Candidates can only be nominated by political parties, however, it is not a requirement to be affiliated to the party.
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 271, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/18
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct c . Indirect
Comments:
Source: Ley de partidos políticos (Ley No. 18485), art. 2, 20-30, 39, 40-44, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/ururguay-ley-18485-del-funcionamiento-de-partidos/view (2009).
Verified: 2024/12/18
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Based on result of previous election
Comments: The state contributes to political parties represented in Parliament an annual amount equal to the value of 4 UI (Indexed four units) per vote received in the last national election.
Source: Ley de partidos políticos (Ley No. 18485), art. 20, 39, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/ururguay-ley-18485-del-funcionamiento-de-partidos/view (2009).
Verified: 2024/12/18
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Ley de partidos políticos (Ley No. 18485), art. 31, 32, 41-44, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/ururguay-ley-18485-del-funcionamiento-de-partidos/view (2009).
Verified: 2024/12/18
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments:
Source: Electoral law: Ley de Elecciones (Ley No. 7812), art. 104, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-ley-de-elecciones-ley-no.-7812-2014/view (2000).
Verified: 2024/12/18
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
b . Always recounted
Comments:
Source: Electoral law: Ley de Elecciones (Ley No. 7812), art. 104-144, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-ley-de-elecciones-ley-no.-7812-2014/view (2000).
Verified: 2024/12/18
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
a . Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Comments: Applies to state-owned media.
Source: Ley Nº 17.045 sobre Partidos Políticos que regulan la Publicidad Electoral, modificada por la Ley Nº 17.818, art. 1, 3, 4, 5: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Parties/Uruguay/Leyes/Ley17045.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2024/12/19
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
a . Yes, in presidential elections
Comments:
Source: Ley de obligatoriedad de un debate entre candidaturas presidenciales (Ley No. 19.827), https://www.gub.uy/corte-electoral/institucional/normativa/ley-n-19827-fecha-18092019-ley-obligatoriedad-debate-entre-candidatos (2019).
Verified: 2024/12/19
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
b . 2-3 days
Comments: 48 hours before elections
Source: Ley Nº 17.045 sobre Partidos Políticos que regulan la Publicidad Electoral, modificada por la Ley Nº 17.818, art. 1 y 6: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Parties/Uruguay/Leyes/Ley17045.pdf (2012)
Electoral law: Ley de Elecciones (Ley No. 7812), art. 176, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-ley-de-elecciones-ley-no.-7812-2014/view (2000).
Verified: 2024/12/19
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Ley de partidos políticos (Ley No. 18485), art. 31, 32, 41-44, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/ururguay-ley-18485-del-funcionamiento-de-partidos/view (2009).
Ley Nº 17.045 sobre Partidos Políticos que regulan la Publicidad Electoral, modificada por la Ley Nº 17.818: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Parties/Uruguay/Leyes/Ley17045.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2024/12/19
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 79 (2), 304, 305, 331, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/19
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 331, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/19
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 79, 304, 305, 331, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/19
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 79 (2), 304, 305, 331, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/19
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 79 (2), 304, 305, 331, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/19
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 79 (2), 304, 305, 331, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/19
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 331, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/19
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 79 (2), 304, 305, 331, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/19
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitución de la República de Uruguay, art. 304, 305, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-constitucion-de-la-republica-2004-vigente/view (2004).
Verified: 2024/12/19
Voting Operations
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