Today marks one month until the local elections, which will be held on Saturday 16 May in municipalities across the country. Residents will have the opportunity to vote for representatives on their local council. The Hlíf trade union has compiled information for its members about immigrants’ voting rights and the role of local authorities.
Do I have the right to vote in the elections?
Did you know that immigrant voter turnout in the last local elections was only 18.6 per cent? This means that a large proportion of immigrants in Iceland do not use their voice and influence when it comes to electing representatives to local councils. These rules apply to the voting rights of immigrants who do not have Nordic citizenship:
Foreign nationals have the right to vote if they:
- are 18 years of age or older on election day.
- have been legally domiciled in Iceland for 3 years continuously before election day.
For foreign nationals with Nordic citizenship, the same rules apply as for Icelandic citizens.
If you are a foreign national and have been legally domiciled in Iceland for 3 years, you have the right to vote in the upcoming local elections!
What is the role of local authorities?
Local authorities in Iceland are responsible for various services that affect the daily lives of residents. These include nurseries, primary schools, health centres, social services, child protection, financial assistance, social housing and immigrant affairs. It is therefore important that residents exercise their right to vote and ensure that those elected to local councils fulfil their roles adequately.
Where can I vote?
Information about polling stations will be published on the municipalities’ websites in the run-up to the elections. In Hafnarfjörður, there will be two polling stations: at Lækjarskóli school and at the Haukar sports hall at Ásvellir. Polling stations are divided by district, but sometimes all immigrants in the town have had Lækjarskóli as their polling station. The Hlíf trade union will monitor the situation and inform its members about polling stations in the upcoming elections closer to the time. You can look up your local polling station here.