¿How much does it cost not to vote in Peru? Fines range between US$8 and US$32 depending on the district

This Sunday, June 7, 27 million Peruvians go to the polls in the presidential runoff election

Peru.- Going to the polls this Sunday, June 7, in Peru for the runoff elections is not only a citizen’s right, but also a legal obligation for most voters. Those who do not vote without a valid justification may receive financial fines and face restrictions on carrying out various procedures with the State.

Conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori and leftist Roberto Sánchez face each other once again.

The mandatory nature of suffrage is established in Peruvian electoral legislation. According to current regulations, citizens who fail to vote are sanctioned with fines whose amount varies according to the poverty level of the district registered in their National Identity Document (DNI).

For the 2026 General Elections, the fines were set at 110 soles for non-poor districts, 55 soles for poor districts, and 27.50 soles for districts classified as extreme poverty.

Regarding polling station members, both titular and substitute, who do not fulfill their civic duty, the single fine is 275 soles (equivalent to 5% of the UIT). This fine also applies to citizens who, while in line, refuse to join the polling stations. Likewise, if a polling station member, titular or substitute, fails to fulfill their duty and also does not cast their vote, they will receive both electoral fines.

The exceptions

Peruvian legislation provides mechanisms for dispensation or justification for voters who were unable to attend to vote due to duly accredited reasons. Accepted reasons include health problems, accidents, death of close relatives, natural disasters, travel for study or work purposes, and other cases of force majeure.

Likewise, voting is optional for people over 70 years of age, who do not receive sanctions if they decide not to participate in the elections.

There are also special provisions for Peruvians residing abroad, who may be exempt from the fine for failure to vote, although they can be sanctioned if they were designated as polling station members and do not fulfill that function.

Consequences of not paying

In addition to the financial penalty, those who maintain electoral debts may face limitations in performing notarial acts, intervening in certain administrative procedures, or accessing some state services until they regularize their situation.

Electoral authorities remind citizens that they have the option to submit requests for exemption or justification when there are valid reasons that prevented them from voting, thus avoiding the payment of the corresponding penalty.

In that sense, the National Jury of Elections (JNE) called on voters to fulfill their civic duty this Sunday, April 12, in order to avoid incurring the aforementioned financial penalties.

Citizens will be able to go to vote starting at 7 a.m., the time by which all polling stations must be enabled to officially begin the election day. Polling stations will close at 5:00 p.m.