Inklingo

How to Say "polls" in Spanish

English → Spanish

elecciones

eh-lek-SYOH-nesse.lekˈsjo.nes

nounB2general
Use 'elecciones' to refer to the general event or day of voting, especially for significant political events like presidential or general elections.
A cartoon hand dropping a folded ballot into a transparent, sealed ballot box labeled 'VOTE'.

Examples

Las elecciones presidenciales son cada cuatro años.

The presidential elections are held every four years.

El gobierno anunció la fecha de las próximas elecciones.

The government announced the date of the next elections.

La participación en las elecciones fue muy alta este año.

Turnout in the elections was very high this year.

Always Plural for Politics

In Spanish, when referring to the political event where people vote, 'elecciones' is almost always used in the plural, even if English might say 'an election'.

Using the Singular

Mistake: “Hice una elección ayer.”

Correction: Hubo elecciones ayer. (I made a choice yesterday is 'Hice una elección', but the political event needs the plural: 'There were elections yesterday.')

comicio

ko-MEE-syohkoˈmisjo

nounB2formal
Use 'comicio' to refer specifically to the day or the act of voting, often emphasizing the civic duty or the official process of casting ballots.
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 polls.

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.

elección

nounB1general
Use 'elección' when referring to a specific choice or the period during which voting takes place, often highlighting the selection aspect or the duration of the voting process.

Examples

Las próximas elecciones municipales serán muy importantes.

The next municipal elections will be very important.

Elecciones vs. Comicio vs. Elección

The most common mistake is confusing 'elecciones' (general voting day/event) with 'comicio' (the act or day of voting) and 'elección' (a specific choice or voting period). While 'elecciones' is the broadest term, 'comicio' often implies the official process on a specific day, and 'elección' can refer to a single choice or the entire voting timeframe.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.