Blank ballot or non-voting: distinguish the act from its reason.

A blank ballot is participation in an election. Abstention is not voting. Neither act automatically reveals a political intention.

The practical difference

A blank vote is an empty envelope or a ballot without a name. It has been counted separately from invalid ballots since 2014, but is excluded from valid votes. Abstention means a registered voter did not vote. Interior Ministry explanation.

The count cannot read minds

A blank vote can express rejection of the candidates. Not voting can be a protest, but also reflect an obstacle or lack of interest. Claiming every blank voter endorses the system, or every non-voter withdraws political consent, imposes an interpretation that the act does not prove.

The 2022 reference point

In the runoff, abstention was 28.01% of registered voters, blank ballots 4.58% and invalid ballots 1.65%. Abstention plus blank ballots therefore totals 32.59%. The 34.24% total also includes invalid ballots. These are three different categories. Official table.

The choice remains yours

Appstention replaces no electoral act and recommends no ballot. If you have already chosen not to vote in 2027, you can explain why. If you vote, you can put your vote on the line with the pledge, vote in the grievance book or comment, without declaring abstention.