Where And How To Vote In Iceland’s Municipal Elections

Municipal elections will be held this Saturday, and even if you’re not a citizen, you may still be able to vote. Here’s where and how.

First of all, can you vote? It’s possible! Nordic nationals who have been living in Iceland for three consecutive years prior to May 26, election day, may vote. For all other foreigners, that period is five years. Regardless of national origin, only those who have had legal residence in Reykjavík at least three weeks prior to election day may vote for Reykjavík City Council.

Where should you go to vote? It’s easy to find a polling place near you. Simply go to this site, enter your kennitala (your Icelandic identity number), and you will receive the name and location of the polling station for your neighbourhood.

What do you need to bring and do in order to vote? As outlined on Ég Kýs (“I vote”), polling stations will be open from 9:00 to 22:00 on May 26. You will need a photo ID that includes your kennitala, or your passport. Look for the booth area marked by the street you live on. Present your name and ID to one of the polling volunteers on hand, and they’ll cross your name off their registry, giving you access to the voting booth.

Once in the booth, mark a clear X in the box corresponding to your party of choice (NOTE: although Iceland votes by party rather than by candidate, if there’s a candidate in a party that you do not like, you may cross their name off from the list).

What if you’re going to be busy all day on election day? Never fear; you can still cast an absentee ballot. Simply go to Smáralind mall in Kópavogur from now until and including May 25, from 10:00 to 22:00, to cast an absentee ballot.

For full election coverage – including the parties running, who they are, and interviews with many of the immigrant candidates running – check out Grapevine’s Elections 2018 feature.