The following provisions currently apply to municipalities with more than 1,000 inhabitants – Vendays-Montalivet has approximately 2,500 inhabitants.
Each list of candidates must correspond to the number of inhabitants in the municipality and may not contain more than two additional names compared to the corresponding number of municipal councillors. A lead candidate must be chosen and gender parity is mandatory: the number of women and men on a list must be identical.
In order to actually participate in the elections, candidates must present a six-year "programme" for the municipal administration. To remain in the second round, each list must have obtained at least 10% of the votes cast. Otherwise, candidates from lists that have obtained at least 5% of the votes may remain as individuals and join another list.
After submission, the list is validated by the prefecture. To submit a list, you must of course choose a programme and an electoral programme, then print them so that the printing costs can then be reimbursed by the State. For municipalities with more than 2,500 inhabitants, the printing company sends these documents to a propaganda commission, which checks them and ensures they are sent to voters' places of residence.
Once the list of candidates has been validated, it can also receive donations. To this end, it needs an "accountant-treasurer" authorised to receive donations.