Multi-level Elections in the European Union
Legal and Political Challenges Across Local, National, and European Levels
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61801/Arsaequi.2025.285Keywords:
multilevel elections, electoral governance, local elections, national elections, European Parliament elections, electoral lawAbstract
Periodically, individuals entitled to participate in elections are invited to vote; in some jurisdictions, electoral participation is regarded as a right, while in others it is considered a civic duty. Although all elections are formally important, their political weight and legal significance vary, as do the legal and political challenges associated with organising elections at different levels of governance. Electoral processes at the local, national, and European levels differ in terms of regulatory frameworks, institutional responsibilities, and democratic expectations. This article deliberately limits its scope to three levels of elections (i.e., local, national, and European) while acknowledging the existence of additional levels of governance that may also involve electoral processes. By focusing on these three levels, the article aims to explore the distinct challenges and interactions that characterise multi-level electoral governance.
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