County and municipal elections are ongoing now in Finland. County and municipal elections are important elections where representatives are elected to regional and municipal councils. Municipal councils decide on matters such as schools, kindergartens, libraries, playgrounds and the safety of areas. County councils decide on matters such as health care services, social care, emergency services and services for people with disabilities. Voting day is Sunday 13 March 2025.
In this article, we answer questions about county and municipal elections. The sources are information from the Ministry of Justice (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.).
What are county and municipal elections?
In county and municipal elections members are elected to regional and municipal councils. Finland has 21 wellbeing services counties (hyvinvointialue) and 308 municipalities. The municipalities are part of the wellbeing services counties. Your municipality of residence is the municipality where you live.
What do county and municipal councillors decide?
Representatives of municipal councils decide on the basic services the county had duty to organise, such as schools, daycare, libraries, youth work, construction and waste management.
Representatives of county councils decide on matters the wellbeing services county organises, such as health care and social care, employment services, mental health support, services for people with disabilities and emergency services.
Does my vote matter?
Yes it matters! County and municipal elections matter. The councillors decide on issues that affect everyone: health care, schools and kindergartens, playgrounds, green spaces and construction.
When can you vote?
You can vote either in advance or on election day. Election day is Sunday 13.4.2025. Advance voting is from 2 to 8 April 2025.
Who can vote?
You can vote in these elections if you are over 18 years of age or 18 years of age on or before the election day 13.4.2025
You must also meet one of the following conditions (21.2.2025):
- you are a Finnish citizen and have a municipality of residence in Finland, or
- you are a citizen of an EU country, Iceland or Norway and have your municipality of residence in Finland, or
- you are a citizen of another country and have had your municipality of residence in Finland for at least two consecutive years.
If you are entitled to vote, you have received a voting notification by letter or electronically via Suomi.fi.
What can I do if I don’t know if I can vote?
- Check whether you have received your voting notification in the post or whether it appears in your Suomi.fi messages.
- If you have not received your voting notification, you can call the Digital and Population Data Service Agency (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.): 029 553 6370.
- You can also get help from the Ministry of Justice (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.) service number: 0800 9 4770 (fi & en) and 0800 9 4771 (sv & en).
Will people in Helsinki vote in county elections?
Helsinki is an exception. Helsinki residents do not vote in county elections because Helsinki is responsible for its own social welfare, health care and emergency services. Helsinki residents only vote in municipal elections, i.e. they receive one ballot paper.
What to take to the polling station?
Take a photo ID, such as a passport, ID card or driving licence, with you to the polling station.
Where can I vote in advance?
- Advance voting in is between 2.-8.4.2025.
- You can vote in advance at any advance polling station.
- You can also find advance polling stations on the Internet at www.vaalit.fi and https://aanestyspaikat.fi (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.).
Where can I vote on voting day 13.4.?
- Election day is on Sunday 13.4.2025.
- On election day, polling stations will be open between 9.00-20.00.
- You can only vote on election day at the polling station indicated on your voter registration form.
- Take a photo ID, such as a passport, ID card or driving licence, with you to the polling station.
Can I bring my child with me when I vote?
Yes, you can bring your child with you to the polling station. However, only you are allowed inside the voting booth to ensure privacy.
Where can I find information about the candidates?”
All the information about registered parties is available on vaalit.fi under ‘Political parties’ – ‘List of Registered Parties’. There is a link to each party, where you can find their candidates and representatives.
How true is it that if I receive social benefits then I can’t vote?
Receiving social benefits does not take away one’s rights to vote. All eligible people have the right to participate in elections despite their ‘social class’ or financial stature.
I haven’t voted before and don’t really speak Finnish, how will I understand the ballots?
There are service numbers for county and municipal elections, and the services are offered in Finnish, English, and Swedish. Elections Helpline for voters: +358 800 9 4770 (in Finnish and English) | +358 800 9 4771 (in Swedish and English). The service numbers can be contacted to ask about elections and voting, and the calls are free of charge if you call from a Finnish phone number.
What happens if I don’t vote? Will it affect my residency or legal status?
No, voting is not mandatory in Finland, and not voting will not affect your residency or legal status. However, participating in elections allows you to have a say in local policies that impact your daily life.
Can I vote if I have dual citizenship, one of which is Finnish?
Yes! If you are a Finnish citizen, you automatically have the right to vote in all elections, including county and municipal elections, regardless of any other nationality you hold.
Can I vote if I am a refugee or asylum seeker?
No, only those with a registered municipality of residence in Finland can vote. Refugees who have received a residence permit and have lived in Finland for at least two years may be eligible to vote in municipal elections. Asylum seekers who are still in the application process do not have voting rights.
I have a disability and it’s difficult to move around. Is it possible to vote from home?
Accessibility to the polling stations is one of the responsibilities of the central municipal election boards. Alternatively, you can register for at-home voting by contacting the central municipal election board of your municipality by 01.04.2025 at 16:00.
I have a problem of forgetting, what if I forget my candidate’s number or mess up the ballot?
There will be a list of the candidates displayed in the voting booth, and if you make a mistake you will receive a new ballot and the spoiled one will be destroyed in front of an election official.