Another day with low historical participation: barely voted 52% of the register
The authorities of the Electoral Court of Santa Fe reported that the voting day was “with little participation” and voted 52% according to the last cut of 17.30.
“The data is projections, you have to wait for all the telegrams to be counted but we had been seeing low participation throughout the day,” he said Pablo Ayala, electoral secretary of the province, and admitted that “it was expected.”
In that sense, he commented that “people manifest” this way and acknowledged that “we would have wanted more people to go.” The official compared this election to that of 2001, where the blank vote was predominant and emphasized that “this time people did not want to vote.”
Ayala also explained that the low participation in main cities, such as Rosario and Santa Fe, influenced the final average. “We also know that it is not reality in all districts. In some, the percentage was around 68%,” he elaborated.
On a provincial level the greatest participation occurred in 1983, when 88.3% of the electorate went to vote after the seven years of military dictatorship. The lowest participation until now had been in conventional elections for the reform of the local Constitution, last April 13, with only 55.4% participation. In 2023, 62.7% of the provincial register voted in the primaries and 68.2% in the generals.
In Santa Fe City, the highest participation was recorded in 1983, coinciding with 88.3% of total people voting. Conversely, this year’s record was a mere 50.5% during April’s primaries and just over 46% in the legislative generals of June 29.
Governor Pullaro celebrated the successful result of the ruling party in the capital of Santa Fe but warned about the low participation: “We question us all”
“On 304 computed locations, 247 were won by the United Front to Change Santa Fe, 42 for Santa Fe and 4 for Freedom Progress. We need to finish computing around 60 locations in the province; About the 19 cities that were in dispute, 17 were won by the United to Change Santa Fe,” celebrated Governor Maximiliano Pullaro. He stressed that “there is a work team that 18 months ago gathered people who did not think the same but understood that there was a common path to change Santa Fe.”
“Now, in these general elections, where communal presidents, some mayors, and councilors throughout the province are elected, we have shown that together, we can change Santa Fe—not only through our neighbors’ choices but also in most towns and cities that have supported us,” he added, thanking “all Santa Fe.”
The Governor referred to the low participation in major cities, such as Rosario and Santa Fe, where it did not reach 50%: “We understand that in 146 locations, the communal president was already defined and in mayoral positions, less participation was observed as the electoral results were already resolved in our province. But this calls for reflection, showing that people are voting much less after 42 years of democracy. This has to question everyone who represents different political parties in the province of Santa Fe and the Argentine Republic as a whole.”
Peronism won in Rosario: Juan Monteverde stayed with the most votes for councilor
The young candidate of the Peronist Front for Santa Fe, Juan Monteverde, finally secured the most votes in the election for councilors in Rosario. With 99.2% of the votes counted, the leader obtained 30.57% of the total votes while his competitor from Freedom Advances, journalist Juan Pedro Aleart, came in second with 28.79%. The candidate from United to Change Santa Fe, representing Governor Maximiliano Pullaro, placed third with 25.64%.
The voter turnout was notably low as only 48.32% of the registered electorate participated.
In Santa Fe City, the United to Change Santa Fe won with María del Carmen Luengo receiving 32.70% of the votes, followed by Pedro Medei, more for Santa Fe with 24.95%, and Freedom Advances in third place with 23.36%. Here, participation barely exceeded 46%.
Regarding Monteverde’s victory in Rosario, Pullaro noted, “It could be a triple draw in the number of councilors. We almost managed to equate with the other two forces, which had known candidates,” he stated.
With the first loaded results, a vote vote is emerging among the three main candidates in Rosario
With almost 70% of the tables scrutinized, the election for city councilors in Rosario does not yet show a probable winner but indicates a close race.
Currently, leading the voter preferences is Juan Monteverde from the Peronist Front for Santa Fe, obtaining 30.55% (74,660 votes). Following him is the libertarian candidate, Juan Pedro Aleart, with 70,492 votes (28.84%) and Governor Maximiliano Pullaro’s candidate from United to Change Santa Fe, Carolina Labayru, at 62,604 votes (25.61%).
Participation on the scrutinized ballots stands at 47.70%.
In Santa Fe City, where councilors were also elected, the ruling party’s María del Carmen Luengo is leading with 32.85% of the votes and 77.16% of the scrutinized tables. More for Santa Fe, led by Pedro “El Profe” Medei, comes in second with 24.92%, with freedom progress at 23.24%.
For Santa Fe’s capital, the current participation rate is 45%.
An hour and a half before closing, barely less than 50% of the register had voted
The Electoral Court of Santa Fe updated voter participation data, showing that at 16:19, just 46% of the electorate had attended the polls.
According to the trend noted by noon, San Justo showed the highest participation up to an hour and a half before polls closed, reaching a 60% turnout. Meanwhile, the capital did not reach 40% (39%, in fact) and Rosario barely surpassed with 41%.
Official: At least until noon, participation in the elections did not exceed 20%
Sources from the Electoral Court of Santa Fe revealed the first participation figures, which signaled a similar low trend observed last April during conventional constituent elections.
According to the information disseminated by the Electoral Process Management, 387 records were taken in the 19 electoral sections between 11:10 AM and 12:20 PM this Sunday. On average per table, 71 voters voted, indicating a 20% participation.
The jurisdiction showing greater participation at that time was San JustoSan Martín and The capital were the lowest, recording 15% and 17% respectively.
“This is more or less equal to what happened in April at that same time,” sources from the Electoral Court predicted.
Juan Monteverde cast his vote: “We can hope for people”
The candidate of the Peronist Front for Councilor in Rosario, Juan Monteverde, voted this noon and showed great satisfaction to the press, stating, “Election days are among the few moments where all citizens count equally, each vote matters.”
In this context, Monteverde, who leads the list of the Rosario Front without fear, expressed, “It is a time to defend what we have and strive for improvements. In Rosario, we can give hope to the people.”
Regarding the uncertainty surrounding participation in this election, Monteverde mentioned: “Many people feel that voting does not change outcomes due to various disappointments. We aim to build new political platforms that unite differing viewpoints and advocate for those who feel left out in our current circumstances. We must uplift the majority experiencing challenges in this cruel Argentina.”
Scaglia voted and called the population to go to the polls: “Voting builds the invincible Santa Fe”
The Vice Governor of Santa Fe, Gisela Scaglia, cast her vote in Gálvez, declaring: “Voting builds an invincible and unstoppable Santa Fe. Choosing our representatives is a right that cost us dearly and we must not resign it.”
The official reiterated the commitment to serve: “Today we renew our responsibility and dedication to be present, to continue listening, and to work with every Santa Fe resident to create more opportunities, security, production, education, and future in all corners of the province.”
Voted the Libertad Advances Candidate in Rosario, Juan Pedro Aleart
“I already voted. With the deep desire of a city that breathes freedom. Thanks to all those who are working today,” declared Juan Pedro Aleart, the first candidate for councilor in Rosario for Freedom Advances, via his X account.
Aleart faced controversy regarding the media access prohibition at the school where he voted. The school’s director’s decision prompted strong discontent between journalists and the candidate, who is also a journalist.
“Is unusual. I have never seen something like that in any election, neither as a journalist nor as a candidate,” reported the libertarian during his interview with local media Air from Santa Fe.