35 million Argentines vote in key primaries: the road to the presidential elections in October

More than 35 million Argentinians will cast their votes in the preliminary, open, simultaneous, and obligatory elections on Sunday.

This process determines the eligible presidential candidates for the main elections scheduled for October 22nd.

The Electoral Justice has approved 17 presidential pairs from various political alliances and parties, aiming for the presidential position for the 2023-2027 term.

To qualify for the October elections, candidates need at least 1.5% of the valid votes.

In certain sectors, Sunday’s vote will determine the primary presidential pair for the October elections.

However, nine sectors already have unique pair nominations.

Prominent figures in the elections include the Economic Minister, Sergio Massa, supported by Agustín Rossi, representing the official coalition ‘Unión por la Patria’.

Opposition leader Juan Grabois is also competing, with sociologist Paula Abal Medina by his side.

The main challengers to the ruling party are expected from the ‘Juntos por el Cambio’ faction, which governed from 2015-2019.

Key figures from this faction are Buenos Aires’ mayor, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, and Gerardo Morales, governor of Jujuy province.

The voting process promises transparency, with real-time data being made available to the public, ensuring reduced anxiety.

The election results are expected three hours post-closing, although complexities in areas like Buenos Aires could delay the process.

For a pair to win in the October general elections, they need either 45% of valid votes or a minimum of 40% with a lead of 10% over the second.

If these criteria aren’t met, a second round will occur on November 19th, with only the top two pairs competing.

The October elections will also decide roles like Mercosur parliamentarians, national senators, and deputies.

On Sunday, the voting will occur from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm local time across the country in over 106,000 polling stations in 17,431 schools.