How to vote in Malta

The European elections will take place on Saturday 8 June 2024

Voters will elect six Members of the European Parliament in 2024, same as in the 2019 elections.

Under EU law, all countries must use voting systems that ensure proportional representation. Malta uses a form of proportional representation called the single transferable vote system. This means that voters rank the candidates in order of choice, and they can vote for as many or as few as they wish. The preferred candidate is given the number 1, the second most preferred candidate is given the number 2, the third is given the number 3, and so on. To be elected, a candidate needs to receive a minimum number of votes, known as the quota (in the European elections this is the number of valid votes divided by seven). Once this quota is exceeded, the candidate is elected. All surplus votes obtained by an elected candidate (the difference between the vote they receive and the quota) are then transferred to other candidates according to the next preferences expressed by voters (the number 2 on a ballot paper and so forth). When there are no further surplus votes to be distributed and there are still unfilled seats, the candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated and their votes transferred to the voters’ next preferences. The transfer of votes and elimination of candidates continues as long as there are unfilled seats.

Prospective candidates who wish to stand for the European elections should register within the period 25th to 29th April 2024. A list of candidates will then be published and will be available on the site of the Electoral Commission Malta.

Voters in Malta vote for candidates and not political parties. Candidates stand for election under the title and banner of a political party or as independents and those elected will represent their party or themselves.

Since voters in Malta vote for candidates and not parties, there is no direct method to elect political parties and no set threshold. The only existing threshold for election - the quota - is for candidates, not parties. This quota is set by dividing the number of valid votes by the number of seats plus one. Since six MEPs will be elected, the quota will be the number of valid votes divided by seven.

For the European elections, there is one national constituency in Malta. This means voters will choose from the same list of candidates across the country.

No, there is no legal obligation to vote in the European elections in Malta.

You are eligible to vote in the European elections in Malta if you are at least 16 years old on the day before election day.

Maltese citizen voting in Malta
Voters in Malta have to vote in a specific polling station based on their home address. This is indicated on the voting document.

EU citizen voting in Malta
You have to be registered and included in the rolling Electoral Register to be published not later than 15th April 2024. To find out how, check regularly the website of the Electoral Commission Malta.

Maltese citizen voting from abroad
Voting in the European elections from another country is not possible.

Maltese citizen voting in Malta
Voters do not need to register in advance, as this is done automatically by the authorities. However, you can check if you are listed on the electoral register via the website of the Electoral Commission Malta, the national election authority.

EU citizen voting in Malta
You have to be registered and included in the rolling Electoral Register to be published not later than 15th April 2024. To find out how, check regularly the website of the Electoral Commission Malta.

Maltese citizen voting from abroad
Voting in the European elections from another country is not possible.

You are required to bring the voting document distributed prior to the election date by the police. It is recommended to bring your ID card as well.

All polling stations are fully accessible.
The Electoral Commission facilitates voting by the elderly and people who are sick or persons with a disability by allowing them priority at the queue at their polling station, at a specific time on polling day.
A Braille template is available for use as a guide to visually impaired persons during voting on the ballot paper, together with a playback listening device.
Persons with a disability may request the assistance of the Assistant Electoral Commissioners to mark the ballot paper on their behalf. In such cases, the Assistant Commissioners are bound to secrecy with regard to the voting of persons whom they have assisted to vote.

You may find easy-to-read information about European elections on the easy-to-read page of this website.
For more information, you may also check out the website of the Electoral Commission Malta.

No, voting by mail in the European elections is not possible in Malta. If voters are not going to be in the country on the day of the election they could vote earlier on 1st June 2024 at a designated single polling station. Usually this arrangement is notified to the general public some weeks ahead of the election.

No, online voting in the European elections is not possible in Malta.

No, voting by proxy in the European elections is not possible in Malta.