In total, 43,991 people will be eligible to vote in Benidorm for the upcoming mayoral elections scheduled for 28 May. This figure was announced by the Benidorm City Council during a press conference, where it also outlined three significant changes to be implemented at polling places as the city prepares for the electoral process that will unfold just over a month from now.
The mayor, Toni Pérez, announced these changes and explained that the goal is to enhance proximity and accessibility for all residents who have the right to vote in the area.
Campaign encouraging nearly 10,000 foreigners to vote in Benidorm
Among the most notable aspects for 28 May is the growth in eligible voters. Specifically, 43,991 residents may cast their vote, an increase of 203 compared with the last municipal elections in 2015 and the regional elections of 2019. Of these voters, 1,392 are foreign residents in Benidorm who participate under the agreement that allows them to vote for mayors and councilors in Spain and who have formally expressed their intention to go to the polls.
Compared with 2019, abroad residents who were eligible to vote show a meaningful decrease. Official census data indicate that 1,957 foreign voters resided in Benidorm four years ago, which is 583 more than the current figure.
The city has experienced notable population growth in the western area and around Via Parque and the Xixo mountain pass, with about 900 more residents registered than in 2019, driven by urban expansion in that part of the city.
As a response to the growth in voters, the Council approved the creation of a new polling section at El Murtal Public School. This new block will absorb the increased demand in that section of the city and help prevent any crowding at existing stations as announced by the mayor.
Change in ballot boxes
One notable modification for 28 May is relocating the polling site previously housed in Coso Taurino, traditionally at the bullring. The bullring is currently closed due to structural damage and is undergoing planned renovations, which prevents it from hosting a polling station during the reform period.
To maintain continuity, the City Council reached an agreement with the Red Cross Local Council to relocate the polling station to the NGO’s new headquarters. Voters who previously used the Coso Taurino station will vote at the Red Cross headquarters, located opposite Avenida de l’Aigüera near the arena. Pérez described this change as temporary, pending the completion of the arena renovation.
Third, the institution will change the name of the Casa de Andalusia school to Corral-Marvall Management Extension for the election period. The City Council purchased the building on Maravall Street for public use, and the new designation will reflect its role in administration and civic activities during the vote.
In addition to the press briefing, residents within the affected polling areas will receive notices by mail detailing the three changes. The purpose is to provide clear, accessible information to make going to polling stations as straightforward as possible for the entire population.
Census query
The mayor also reminded residents that the deadline to apply for inclusion in the election census or to file corrections is next Monday, 17 April. Any error or omission detected should be reported before the deadline to ensure eligibility for the election process.
Reluctant to register
Administrative offices in Benidorm operate Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 14:00, and the statistics department within the municipal building will provide this service through an extraordinary schedule from 09:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 19:00 on weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays, service hours run from 10:30 to 12:30.
The mayor also noted details for voting by mail. Residents interested in postal voting can obtain the form in person at the Post Office or apply electronically via Correos’s platform, which requires an electronic ID or a valid digital certificate to complete the process.