Doubs Prepares Candidates for 2026 Municipal Elections with Comprehensive Guidance

The Doubs region is gearing up for the municipal elections scheduled on March 15 and 22, 2026, with local authorities providing essential resources to candidates. According to the official Doubs government website, candidates can access key documents such as the arrêté, memento, administrative forms (cerfas), and detailed information on campaign financing to ensure a clear understanding of election procedures.

These elections, held nationwide on the same dates, will elect municipal councilors for a six-year term through universal suffrage. A notable reform from the law of May 21, 2025, has standardized the voting system across all communes, including those with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants. This means all municipalities will use a proportional list voting system with strict gender parity requirements, where candidate lists must alternate between male and female candidates and remain fixed throughout voting.

In the first round, a list securing an absolute majority gains half the council seats, with the remainder distributed proportionally among lists surpassing 5% of votes. If a second round is necessary, only lists with at least 10% support can compete and may include candidates from other lists while maintaining gender alternation. Additionally, the electoral timeline outlines clear deadlines for candidacy, campaign activities, and prohibits electoral propaganda after a set date.

Voters in Doubs and across France can also utilize the procuration system to authorize someone else to vote on their behalf, with the added convenience of completing this process online via France Identité.

This comprehensive preparation underscores Doubs prefecture's commitment to facilitating a smooth and transparent electoral process for the 2026 municipal elections.