Municipal ELECTIONS 2025

General information about the Finnish municipal elections 2025

The upcoming municipal elections in Finland will be held on April 13, 2025, when councillors are elected to the municipal councils. Advance voting in Finland is from 2-8 April in Finland and 2-5 April abroad.

A list of advance polling station by municipality: https://tulospalvelu.vaalit.fi/KV-2025/fi/index.html
A map of all polling stations: https://aanestyspaikat.fi/ 

On this page you can find practical information about elections, to help you participate.

What are these elections about?

• Finland will hold municipal and county elections on April 13, 2025.
• Municipalities decide on local services like schools, roads, libraries, and public transport.
• Counties manage healthcare, social welfare, and emergency services (except in Helsinki).
• Helsinki residents only vote in municipal elections because the city handles its own social and healthcare services.

Why Should You Vote in the Municipal Elections?

• Municipalities impact your daily life (education, housing, transport, etc.).
• You have a say in local services like schools, libraries, and sports facilities.
• Municipalities decide on local infrastructure: roads, waste management, water supply.
• They promote local vitality and community development (employment, integration).
• Municipalities adapt to climate change and ensure a sustainable future.

Why Should You Vote in the County Elections?

• Counties organize healthcare, social services, and emergency services.
• They manage primary and specialized healthcare (doctors, hospitals).
• Counties provide social welfare services for children, families, and vulnerable groups.
• They are responsible for emergency services (fire, rescue, crisis support).
• Your vote helps ensure quality services in your region (outside Helsinki).

Why Your Vote Matters

Key Positions:

• Municipal Council Representatives – Make decisions on local services (education, healthcare, housing).
• Deputy Representatives – Support main representatives, step in when needed.
• Committee Members – Influence policies in areas like healthcare, planning, finances.

Who can vote?

• You can vote if:
  • You are a Finnish citizen OR a citizen of the EU, Iceland, or Norway, and live in Finland.
  • You are a non-EU citizen, have lived in Finland for at least two years, and are registered in a municipality.
  • You are 18 years old or older on election day (April 13, 2025).
• You do not need to register separately – your name is added automatically if you meet the criteria.

Who Can Run as a Candidate?

• Candidates can be people from all backgrounds, including:
  • Teachers, doctors, business owners, students, and community activists.
  • Immigrants and people with diverse experiences.
• They are passionate about improving their community and solving local issues like education, healthcare, and transport.
• Candidates can come from political parties or run as independents.
• They may represent different groups and ideas, but they all want to make a difference in your local area.

Political Parties in Finland and What They Mean

• Finland has several political parties that run candidates in municipal and county elections.
• Political parties represent different values and priorities, such as:
  • Social welfare and equality
  • Education, healthcare, and climate policies
  • Economic growth, jobs, and local development
• Political Parties
  
  • Social Democratic Party (SDP): Focuses on social welfare, equality, and workers' rights.
  • Centre Party (Keskusta): Emphasizes rural issues, local services, and family support.
  • National Coalition Party (Kokoomus): Supports economic growth, entrepreneurship, and individual freedom.
  • Finns Party (Perussuomalaiset): Focuses on nationalism, reducing immigration, and protecting traditional values.
  • Left Alliance (Vasemmistoliitto): Advocates for social justice, environmental protection, and workers' rights.
  • Green League (Vihreät): Focuses on environmental sustainability, climate change action, and social equality.​

How to Find Information About Candidates and Parties

• Websites:
  • Candidates often have their own websites and social media profiles.
  • Political parties have official websites with information about their platforms and candidates.
• Election Tools:
  • Vaalikone (Election quiz): A tool to match you with candidates based on your views.
• Social Media:
  • Follow candidates and parties on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
• Local Election Events:
  • Attend candidate debates, town halls, or other events to meet candidates and ask questions.
• Local Newspapers and Online Platforms:
  • Read candidate interviews and local election news to get more insights.

Advance Voting (April 2–8, 2025)

• When: April 2–8, 2025 (in Finland), April 2–5 (abroad).
• Where: Any general advance polling station in Finland or Finnish embassies abroad.
• Who Can Vote: Anyone eligible who can visit an advance polling station.

Election Day Voting (April 13, 2025)

• When: April 13, 2025 (Election Day).
• Where: Your assigned polling station (specified on your polling card). Voting only at your assigned polling station.
• Who Can Vote: Anyone eligible who votes on the designated day.

Practical Instructions on How to Vote

• For Both Advance Voting and Election Day:
  1. Bring ID: Passport, identity card, or driver’s license.
  2. At the Polling Station:
     1. Show your ID to the election official.
     2. Receive one ballot if living in Helsinki, or two ballots if living anywhere else (purple for county, white for municipal elections).
  3. How to Vote:
     1. Write the candidate number on both ballots (one for each election).
     2. Fold ballots to keep the numbers private.
     3. Return them to the election official.
     4. Ballots are sealed in envelopes.
  4. Sign Covering Letters: Sign to confirm that you voted.
  5. Final Step: Ballots are sent to the election board in yellow covering envelopes.
• Special Notes:
  • If voting for someone running in both elections, they will have different numbers for each.

Where to Get More Information?

• Information about the County and Municipal Elections in different languages can be found on: https://vaalit.fi/en/information-about-the-county-and-municipal-elections-in-somali
• Ministry of Justice website (official election info)
• Local municipal websites
• Election Helpline (0800 9 4700 for Finnish/English, 0800 9 4771 for Swedish/English)
• WhatsApp Helpline (050 438 8730)​

Final Words: Your Vote, Your Voice!

• Voting is a right and a way to shape your future.
• Encourage friends and family to participate.
• Let’s make immigrant voices count in Helsinki’s 2025 elections!
• Important Election Dates:
  • March 18, 2025: Polling station locations published online.
  • April 2–8, 2025: Advance voting in Finland.
  • April 2–5, 2025: Advance voting abroad.
  • April 13, 2025: Election Day!​

Read more on the procedures of the municipal elections and voting in the official website of the elections by the Finnish Ministry of Justice
​
​Check out YLE's election compass in English here

more information

• Familia's goals for the 2025 municipal elections and the government's plan
• Familia's municipal Elections Panel Discussion 20.3

The Finnish Parliament House, Helsinki
(images source: Wikipedia)