Chile presidential election runoff

By Marina Chauffaille, Reporter

Chile held its presidential election on Nov. 16, producing no outright winner and sending the country to a runoff that will determine its next president. Voters across the country participated in the first round to choose who will lead the nation for the next four years, but none of the candidates obtained the majority required under Chilean law to win in a single round. According to the preliminary vote count published by the Servicio Electoral de Chile (SERVEL) Jeannette Jara led the field with about 26.8%, followed by José Antonio Kast with approximately 24.1%. Their results place both candidates in the December runoff, where the final decision will be made.

The election was organized and administered by SERVEL, the institution responsible for managing voter registration, ballot distribution and the national vote aggregation system. SERVEL also publishes the preliminary results that inform the public of the initial vote totals on election night. The Tribunal Calificador de Elecciones, commonly known as TRICEL, is responsible for the legal certification that confirms the official count. TRICEL reviews irregularities, resolves disputes and provides the final validation required for the results to become official. According to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Chile had roughly 15.79 million registered voters as of July 2025. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) classifies the country as a liberal democracy and notes that Chile has an electoral democracy index score of 0.844, a measurement used by international researchers to evaluate how well a country’s elections function as part of a democratic system. The scale runs from 0 to 1, with 1 representing the strongest possible performance. A score of 0.844 places Chile in the upper range and shows that outside analysts view its elections as supported by solid laws, independent institutions and established voting procedures that allow citizens to participate freely.

Chile is located along the Pacific coast of South America and is recognized for its long, narrow geography stretching from the Atacama Desert in the north to the glacial regions in the south. It operates under a presidential system in which the head of state serves a four-year term. Presidents cannot serve consecutive terms and must wait one full period before running again. Chile’s government also includes a bicameral National Congress made up of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. This structure provides a separation of powers that places legislative responsibilities in the hands of elected representatives. Voting in national elections is compulsory, based on legislation reinstated in 2022. Participation in Chilean elections has historically been high, and SERVEL stated during its election day briefing that voter turnout of 85.4%, described as the "highest in the country’s history," although final figures will be confirmed once TRICEL completes its certification.

Jeannette Jara, the leading candidate in the first round, represents the Unity for Chile coalition, a left-of-center alliance that includes parties supporting expanded social protections and public service investment. Her campaign focused on lowering utility bills, increasing pension payments and broadening access to government support programs. Jara emphasized affordability concerns and the rising cost of living, pointing to energy prices and retirement insecurity as key areas where she promised measurable improvements. Her platform also included proposals to strengthen state oversight and increase assistance for low- and middle-income households.

José Antonio Kast, the runner-up in the first round, is the candidate of the Republican Party, a right-of-center political group that advocates for a stronger security agenda and more restrictive immigration policies. Kast’s campaign centered on concerns about crime, border control and public order. He called for expanded police authority, tougher penalties for violent offenses and a firmer national approach to illegal migration. More than 70% of first round voters supported candidates from the right or center right, signaling a notable shift in Chile’s political landscape compared with the previous presidential cycle. Kast’s supporters argue that his proposals reflect a demand for greater stability and stricter enforcement in response to public safety concerns.

International and domestic analysts noted that the first round highlighted a polarized electorate. Voters split between candidates offering expansive social reform and those calling for tighter controls and stronger enforcement. Observers also pointed to the significance of compulsory voting in shaping turnout. Since reinstatement, national participation has increased, prompting discussion about whether broader civic engagement has intensified divisions or simply made them more visible. With both campaigns preparing for the second round, the political environment remains highly active, and the runoff is expected to draw wide attention across the region.

SERVEL confirmed that the runoff between Jara and Kast will be held on Dec. 14. Once the results are certified, the winning candidate will be sworn into office in March 2026. The next administration will inherit a range of policy challenges, including public security, economic recovery and debates over constitutional reform that have shaped public discourse in recent years. While the final outcome remains undecided, the first-round results show a country weighing two distinct visions for governance. The runoff is expected to clarify which direction voters prefer for the nation’s immediate future.