Editing Elections in Chile (section)

==Presidential elections==
{{for|the most recent presidential election|2021 Chilean presidential election}}

In Chile, the [[President of Chile|president]] serves as both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]], and is elected to a four-year term.<ref name="constitution">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=242302 Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref> Non-consecutive re-election is permitted.<ref name="constitution" />

The president is elected by [[Direct election|direct popular vote]]. To win in the first round, a candidate must receive an [[absolute majority]] of valid votes (excluding [[Spoilt vote|null]] and [[Protest vote|blank ballots]]). If no candidate meets this threshold, a [[Two-round system|runoff]] is held between the top two candidates.<ref name="constitution" /> Prior to the 1989 constitutional reform, if no candidate obtained an absolute majority, Congress selected the president from among the leading contenders.

Each political party may nominate one of its members as a presidential candidate. Independent candidates must gather signatures from a minimum of 0.5% of the total number of voters in the most recent election for the [[Chamber of Deputies of Chile|Chamber of Deputies]].<ref name="electorallaw">[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idLey=18700 Organic Constitutional Law on Popular Elections and Vote Counting]. Chile Library of National Congress.</ref> For example, in the 2013 election, this threshold was 36,318 signatures.<ref>{{cite web |title=Con número récord de candidatos presidenciales Servel cierra inscripciones |url=http://www.latercera.com/noticia/politica/2013/08/674-538592-9-con-numero-record-de-candidatos-presidenciales-servel-cierra-inscripciones.shtml |website=latercera.com}}</ref>

According to the Constitution, presidential elections are held on the third Sunday of November in the year preceding the end of the current president's term. If a runoff is necessary, it is held on the fourth Sunday after the first round. The elected president takes office on the day the outgoing president's term ends, which since 1990 has been March 11.<ref name="constitution" />

Before the 2011 electoral reform, elections were held 90 days before the end of the sitting president's term. If the scheduled day was not a Sunday, the election was postponed to the next Sunday. Runoff elections, if needed, were held 30 days later, also observing the Sunday rule.