In Pusztaapáti, Hungary, recent by-elections saw the incumbent mayor successfully re-elected. However, the election was marked by exceptionally low voter turnout, with only 17 out of 21 eligible residents casting ballots. A significant portion of the votes were deemed invalid, totaling 8 out of the 17 ballots submitted. This high rate of invalid votes raises questions about voter understanding or potential issues with the voting process in the small settlement of Pusztaapáti. The remaining valid votes secured the mayor’s continued leadership. The unusual circumstances highlight challenges in maintaining democratic participation in very small communities within Hungary. Further investigation may be needed to understand the reasons behind the invalid ballots in Pusztaapáti.