translated from Spanish: STEP 2021: What if I can’t go vote?

As well as in the Primary, Open, Simultaneous and Mandatory (PASO) elections today and in the general elections of November 14, whoever does not attend to vote must justify this absence before the National Electoral Justice, or otherwise, pay a fine. In the context of the pandemic, it was decided that those who have symptoms of coronavirus, are close contact, positive cases or have comorbidities, will be exempt when exercising suffrage. This must be justified by doctors from the national health service.

Another reason for not attending could be to be prevented by force majeure in a sufficiently proven way and justified in the same way as the previous one. In addition, it is a valid reason to work in the Justice on this day and also those who must review among personnel of agencies and companies of political services. The employer or legal representative must notify the Ministry of the Interior and Transport of the payroll 10 days in advance and with certification. The National Electoral Code establishes in its article number 125, section: “electoral offenses”, that a fine ranging from $ 50 to $ 500 must be imposed on the voter over 18 years of age and under 70 who does not cast his vote and does not justify before the justice within 60 days of the respective election. At the same time, the agency created the Registry of Offenders for those who must carry out the justification process and settle the debt. As long as you do not pay the debt, the citizen who fails to vote will be registered as an offender. This also implies that you will not be able to do paperwork for a year.
In this note:

Original source in Spanish