1983, Argentine elections have been generally deemed as free, fair and transparent, and participation levels remain high, with an average of 70.24% as of 2019. In 2012, Law 26.774 ("on Argentine Citizenship") lowered the legal voting age for Argentine citizens from 18 to 16, making Argentina one of twelve countries in the world to do so. Eligibility to vote The right to vote is mandated in Article 37 of the Constitution of Argentina, and further detailed in the National Electoral Code. In the national order, entitlement to vote is based on citizenship. Natural-born Argentine citizens and citizens by descent aged 16 or older have the right to vote, while naturalized citizens may vote from the age of 18 (see Argentine nationality law). Non-citizen permanent residents do not have the right to vote for national offices, but may be allowed to vote for local office as established by provincial law. The right to vote is not extended to: the mentally unfit (as demonstrated in trial), those who have been convicted of crimes with intent, those who have been convicted of illegal gambling (for three years only, and for six years in cases of recidivism), those who have been sanctioned for qualified desertion, those who have been declared to be rebels in a criminal cause, until the cessation of said rebellion, or until prescription, those who are limited by the dispositions on the Organic Law on Political Parties, those who have otherwise been declared unable to exercise their political rights. All Argentine citizens are automatically registered to vote in the national electoral roll, which is updated on a bi-yearly basis ahead of every scheduled election. From the ages of 18 to 70, voting is compulsory. Eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 70 may by exempt from voting if they are: sitting judges and their auxiliaries who must remain in their offices for the duration of the electoral act, over 500 kilometers away from their designated voting place, and can justify that distance with reason through a certificate written by their closest police authority, ill or otherwise unable, with sufficient proof, as demonstrated by a doctor in the national, provincial, or municipal health services, or by private doctors if all the aforementioned are not available. Argentine citizens living abroad may vote in embassies and consulates of Argentina. Provincial elections Provincial law and constitutions, controlled by provincial legislatures regulate elections at the