How does the french voting system work?
In general, voting is done using paper and manual counting. The voter gets pre-printed bulletins from a table at the entrance of the voting office (they are also provided through the mail), as well as an envelope. He or she enters the isoloir, or isolation booth, where (s)he is hidden from sight, and inserts the appropriate bulletin into the envelope. He or she walks to the ballot box and shows his voter registration card (not compulsory) and is required to prove his identity [1] (in towns of more than 5000 inhabitants, an identification document must be shown[2]). After the officials have acknowledged his or her right to vote, the ballot box is opened and the voter inserts the envelope. One of the officials traditionally loudly says “a voté”, which can be translated as “your ballot has been cast”. It is purely ceremonial and has a double meaning: the voter’s voice will be taken into account and (s)he has accomplished his/her civic duty. (S)he then signs the voters’ list, and his/her r
