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The conditions for voting in France (2/2)
This sheet helps you know and understand elections in France.
Key points of the sheet
- In France, the right to vote is a fundamental right. It is written in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789. Article 3 of the 1958 Constitution specifies it.
- In France, voting is strictly personal, free and secret.
- Through voting, the people express their will. It becomes laws that apply to everyone. All votes are counted, whatever the sex, age, origin or religion.
- French citizens can take part in several elections by direct universal suffrage. The President of the Republic is elected every 5 years. So are the members of the National Assembly (députés), unless there is a dissolution.
- Municipal, departmental and regional councillors are elected every 6 years.
- European elections elect the members of the European Parliament every 5 years. Citizens of the European Union who live in France can also vote.
- Senate elections elect senators by indirect universal suffrage. Half of the seats are renewed every 3 years. Only the electors (grands électeurs) vote.
Words to know
- fundamental right (droit fondamental)
- In France, the right to vote is a fundamental right, written in the Declaration of 1789.
- Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen)
- It is a text from 1789 in which the right to vote is written.
- direct universal suffrage (suffrage universel direct)
- French citizens elect, for example, the President of the Republic by direct universal suffrage.
- indirect universal suffrage (suffrage universel indirect)
- Senators are elected by indirect universal suffrage: only the electors (grands électeurs) vote.
- electors (grands électeurs)
- Only the electors (grands électeurs) vote in Senate elections. The sheet mentions mayors, municipal councillors and members of the National Assembly.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Which article of the 1958 Constitution specifies the right to vote?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel article de la Constitution de 1958 précise le droit de vote ?
Article 3 of the 1958 Constitution specifies the right to vote.
How often do regional elections take place?
In French, the language of the exam: Tous les combien ont lieu les élections régionales ?
Regional elections elect the regional councillors every 6 years.
Who is elected in departmental elections?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui est élu lors des élections départementales ?
Departmental elections are used to elect the departmental councillors.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- Is voting compulsory in France?
- When are senators elected?
- What condition is needed to vote in European elections in France?
- Who is elected in the legislative elections?
- Who is elected in the municipal elections?
- Can a person vote in place of another person?
More in this topic (Democracy and the right to vote)
Source
Sheet “Les conditions pour voter en France (2/2)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.