Inklingo

How to Say "election" in Spanish

English → Spanish

elección

nounB1general
Use this word when referring to a specific instance of voting to choose a representative or a decision, like a presidential election or a school election.

Examples

Las próximas elecciones municipales serán muy importantes.

The next municipal elections will be very important.

comicio

ko-MEE-syohkoˈmisjo

nounB2formal
This term refers more broadly to the political voting process or a polling day, often used in a formal or plural context to describe the act of voting itself.
A person's hand dropping a paper ballot into a wooden voting box.

Examples

Los ciudadanos están llamados a participar en los próximos comicios.

Citizens are called to participate in the upcoming elections.

El ambiente era tenso durante la jornada de los comicios.

The atmosphere was tense during the day of the polls.

Tras los comicios, se formará un nuevo gobierno.

Following the elections, a new government will be formed.

Usually Plural

Even though 'comicio' is technically the singular word, you will almost always see and use it in the plural form: 'comicios'.

A Formal Alternative

Think of this as the 'professional' version of the word 'elecciones'. You'll hear it on the news or read it in newspapers rather than in casual conversation at a café.

Don't confuse with 'commission'

Mistake: “La comicio decidió el resultado.”

Correction: La comisión decidió el resultado (if you mean a group of people) or Los comicios decidieron el resultado (if you mean the election). 'Comicio' is not a group of people; it is the event of voting.

electoral

eh-lek-toh-RALelektoˈɾal

adjectiveB1general
Use this word as an adjective to describe anything related to elections, such as campaigns, laws, or districts.
A colorful storybook illustration of a person placing a folded paper ballot into a wooden box.

Examples

La campaña electoral termina hoy.

The election campaign ends today.

Debemos revisar el padrón electoral antes del domingo.

We must check the electoral roll before Sunday.

El sistema electoral garantiza la transparencia.

The electoral system guarantees transparency.

One Form for Everyone

Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'electoral' doesn't have a masculine or feminine version. It stays 'electoral' whether you are talking about a masculine noun (el proceso) or a feminine noun (la campaña).

Making it Plural

To talk about more than one electoral thing, just add '-es' at the end to get 'electorales'. For example: 'reformas electorales' (electoral reforms).

Don't use it for the person!

Mistake: “El electoral votó por el presidente.”

Correction: El elector (or el votante) votó por el presidente.

Noun vs. Adjective Confusion

Learners often confuse 'elección'/'comicio' (nouns referring to the event or process) with 'electoral' (an adjective). Remember that 'electoral' must describe something else related to the election, like 'la ley electoral' (the electoral law), not stand alone as the election itself.

Related Translations

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