– I have not cared about politics before, says Safari Yves Shabani. The 26-year-old has lived in Norway for nine years, but has never voted. Shabani is not a Norwegian citizen. But after watching a party leader debate on TV, he became curious. – After I saw the debate on news, I asked myself whether I could vote at all, he says. He had to google to find an answer. Differences between elections In Norway, we have two types of elections. Every other quarter, Norwegians can go to the polls. This year there are municipal and county council elections. Here, more people have the right to vote than in general elections. Because in the local elections, you can vote if you have been registered in Norway for the last three years, or are a Nordic citizen and resident before 30 June in the election year. One must also have turned 18 before the end of the election year. Who has the right to vote? To vote, you must have the right to vote and be on the census in a municipality. Who has the right to vote? Norwegian citizens who have turned 18 before the end of 2023, who are or have been registered in the population register as residents in Norway. Citizens of Denmark, Finland, Iceland or Sweden who have turned 18 before the end of 2023, and are registered in the population register as living in Norway no later than 30 June 2023. Persons who are not Norwegian citizens, but who have turned 18 before the end of 2023 and have been registered in the population register as having lived in Norway in the last three years before election day. Employees in the diplomatic or consular service and their household have the right to vote, even if they do not meet the residence criteria. Source: Directorate of Elections In Storting elections, you must be a Norwegian citizen to be able to vote. Various tasks Almost 4.4 million people have the right to vote at this year’s election. Many of these are in the same boat as Shabani – they are not allowed to vote in general elections. – There may be several considerations to take when asking who will have the right to vote in the two elections in Norway, says election researcher Signe Bock Segaard at the Institute for Social Research. Signe Bock Segaard is election researcher at the Department of Social Research. Photo: Institute for social research Those who are elected to the Storting have different tasks than those who are elected to county councils, municipal and city councils. It is the representatives in the Storting who adopt, amend and repeal laws in Norway. The electoral researcher says that some people think that in parliamentary elections consideration should be given to a sense of loyalty and belonging. – Your citizenship can precisely be considered as a sign of that, says Segaard. – Local politics is not about passing laws, but often about practical conditions that are important to the local community. There can be an argument for people without citizenship having the right to vote here. Grateful: – “Wow” Safari Yves Shabani has a background from the Congo. The African country has been full of conflict for several decades. The first free election in the country in 40 years was held in 2006. Since then, several elections have been controversial. It put things into perspective for the 26-year-old. – I am grateful that I can at all participate in voting for the future here in Norway. It’s a bit of a “wow”, he says. – But I wish I could vote in the big general election as well. But I just have to accept it. Shabani has three heart issues during the election this year: Youth, culture and refugees. – It’s nice that we, as young people, can make a difference. We can do what we want here and it’s very nice to think about. Are you thinking of something? Hi! Would you like to advise me on a possible case? Feel free to contact us by e-mail.
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Who has the right to vote in local elections? – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
