# Court upholds voting ban for 163,000 Spaniards

21 October 2026 at 16:27

> Spain's Constitutional Court rejects a bid to restore voting rights for naturalised citizens abroad ahead of the November general election.

The **Spanish Constitutional Court** has rejected an **Ombudsman**'s request to lift a precautionary suspension of voting rights for 163,000 naturalised citizens living abroad. The court ruled the appeal premature as **Supreme Court** legal proceedings remain active.

The Supreme Court confirmed the suspension on 12 October 2026, affecting those registered under the 'law of grandchildren'. Only citizens with consular proof of exile status for political or ideological reasons may vote in the upcoming general election.

With elections set for 29 November 2026, the final electoral census is due on 23 October. The **Central Electoral Board** will send documentation to those affected, though it will include a warning that their voting rights currently remain legally suspended.

**Spain**

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