The number of Spanish citizens registered as voters residing in Cuba decreased by 1,018 during September 2026, dropping from 169,038 to 168,020, according to figures from the Electoral Census Office (OCE) released this Sunday by El Español.
The decline contrasts with the evolution of the Electoral Roll of Absent Residents (CERA) worldwide: during the same month, the registration of Spanish voters abroad increased by 15,141 people, reaching a total of 2,762,829, according to data published by the newspaper.
Despite the setbacks, Cuba remains the fifth country with the most Spaniards registered to vote from abroad, following Argentina, France, the United States, and Mexico. The declines recorded in September correspond to the consular district of Havana.
The decline comes after years of growth in this record on the island. According to data collected by El Español, in the general elections of 2023, there were 152,796 Spanish voters residing in Cuba. Even after the decrease in September, the current total exceeds that figure by 15,224. The newspaper notes, however, that a significant portion of the increase was concentrated in 2023 and 2024, and that growth has since moderated.
Why is the number of voters decreasing in Cuba?
Diplomatic sources consulted by El Español indicate that some Cubans who obtained Spanish nationality may have moved to live in Spain or a third country. When a person changes their habitual residence and updates their registration, they may no longer appear on the census corresponding to Cuba and instead be registered in the new place of residence.
However, 1,018 fewer registrations do not necessarily equate to 1,018 emigrants nor do they mean that those individuals have lost their Spanish nationality. The National Institute of Statistics (INE) explains that the census is updated monthly with information from consulates, local councils, civil registries, and accepted claims. The figure of cancellations, by itself, does not allow for the determination of the individual causes of the variation.
The evolution of the CERA is of particular interest due to nationality applications supported by the Law of Democratic Memory, known as the Grandchildren's Law. However, obtaining Spanish nationality and being registered as a resident voter abroad are two different situations: the changes in the census do not allow for calculating how many nationalities have been granted.
What is happening with the census for the Spanish elections in November?
In its official notice of October 9, the INE reported 169,290 voters residing in Cuba for the general elections on November 29, out of a total of 2,769,645 abroad. This electoral count should not be confused with the 168,020 registered in the September monthly update mentioned by El Español: they are compiled using different references and census procedures.
The INE guide for these elections specifies that the voter registry applicable to the voting was closed as of August 1, 2026, without prejudice to any claims that may be upheld.
Spanish citizens residing in Cuba will be able to consult and claim their census data from October 12 to 19, inclusive, through the channels established by the INE and the consular offices. Voting from abroad will take place without the need for prior application for electoral documentation, in accordance with the procedure established for these elections.
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