French voters are showing an unprecedented level of mobilization for the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for June 30 and July 7. In the week following the announcement of the National Assembly's dissolution, a substantial 409,226 voting proxies were established. This figure represents a 6.5-fold increase compared to the same period before the 2022 legislative elections.
The Ministry of the Interior attributes this surge to the unexpected scheduling of the elections right at the start of the school holidays, spurring many to secure their opportunity to vote despite holiday plans. The vast majority of these proxies, 91%, were processed through the government's online system, maprocuration.gouv.fr, indicating a significant shift towards digital methods.
The push for proxies began on June 10, following President Macron's decision to dissolve the National Assembly after the success of the National Rally in the European elections. The move was aimed at offering citizens a fresh choice for their parliamentary representatives. This announcement caught many off guard, prompting urgent action to arrange for proxies.
In comparison to the previous legislative elections, the number of proxies validated within the first few days of the announcement shows remarkable growth. From June 10 to June 16, 2024, there was an increase of 138% over the same duration in 2022, continuing to climb to a 650% increase when compared to the 2022 overall figures.
The current high level of proxy requests suggests a potential rise in voter participation. According to an Ifop survey, the estimated participation rate for the first round stands at 63%, significantly higher than the 47.51% recorded in 2022. However, voters are reminded that proxies made for the European elections are not valid for the legislative elections, necessitating new applications if needed.
- For French citizens looking to make a proxy, the process has become more streamlined through the maprocuration.gouv.fr website. Voters need to designate someone who can visit their polling station and submit their voter number and date of birth or their marital status data. The next step involves verifying their identity at a local police station or gendarmerie to complete the process.
- The interest in proxies highlights the electorate's commitment to participating in the democratic process despite the rather inconvenient timing of the elections during the school holiday period. Conversations within communities indicate that many are coordinating with friends and family to ensure their vote is counted.
