Bellpuig Council’s digital referendum with Vocdoni: A municipal success story

In 2022, the Bellpuig Council in Catalonia delivered a first for public institutions in Spain: a fully digital public consultation that made participation simple, safe, and inclusive. The vote was carried out under the Catalan law Llei 10/2014, del 26 de setembre, de consultes populars no referendàries i d'altres formes de participació ciutadana.

The town partnered with Vocdoni to make the vote secure and easy to use for everyone, especially while COVID‑19 restrictions were still in place and health risks limited in‑person participation.

Bellpuig is a town of roughly 5,000 people in the county of Urgell. Mayor Jordi Estiarte reached out to Vocdoni to modernize the town’s voting process and increase direct citizen participation, an election promise focused on giving residents a clearer voice in local decisions. A digital consultation offered the right balance of convenience and confidence, without asking people to choose between participation and health.

Results that show participation works

• Eligible voters: 3,458 residents (over 16)
• Turnout: 1,095 votes cast (31.67%)
• Results: 632 “Yes”, 436 “No”, 27 blank ballots
• Consultation period: April 21–May 5, 2022

What residents gained from online voting

The goal wasn’t just to put a vote online. It was to make participation easier and more inclusive. The consultation delivered clear benefits for residents:

• Convenience: People could vote from home, work, or while traveling.
• Accessibility: In‑person help was available at the town hall for anyone without a device.
• Safety: Residents could take part without unnecessary health risk during COVID‑19 restrictions.
• Confidence: The process was clear and easy to follow, encouraging more people to participate.

How the consultation worked for citizens

Every eligible resident received a mailed notice with a unique QR code. That code and extra personal fields let them vote online at any time. For residents who needed support or preferred to vote in person, the town set up a polling station at the town hall using the same QR code system. The result: one simple process that included everyone.

The experience felt approachable, even for people who were hesitant about digital tools. One voter shared that they visited the town hall to be sure they could manage it themselves and were surprised by how easy it was to complete the vote.

A simple timeline for residents

The consultation followed a clear, resident‑friendly flow:

1. Residents received a mailed notice with a QR code and voting instructions.
2. Voting opened for two weeks, so people could participate at a time that suited them.
3. Support remained available at the town hall for anyone who preferred in‑person help.
4. Results were tallied and shared, giving residents a clear outcome from their participation.

The issue on the ballot

Catalan law allows local governments to hold non‑binding public consultations on certain issues. Under this legal framework, Bellpuig asked residents to vote on the construction of a new funeral facility (funeral parlor, ceremony hall, and cremation chamber) proposed for the town’s northern industrial area.

The mayor committed to respect the result, even though the vote was legally non‑binding.

Why this matters beyond Bellpuig

Bellpuig’s referendum shows what’s possible when digital voting focuses on people first. When the process is simple and inclusive, more residents can take part, and local governments can build trust by listening. It also shows how smaller municipalities can lead on modern, citizen‑first participation.

Vocdoni brings verifiable, secure, and affordable voting to the local level, giving municipalities access to safeguards typically associated with large organizations and national governments, without the usual cost or complexity.

For public consultations, hybrid formats that combine online voting with in‑person support help ensure that everyone can participate, regardless of age, access, or digital comfort.

This success story has also been highlighted by the OECD in its report “Tackling civic participation challenges with emerging technologies. Beyond the hype”.