Finland views their citizens living abroad a valuable resource and strive to foster a cooperative relationship with expatriates. This is why the Finnish Expatriate Parliament (FEP) was formed in 1997. FEP meets approximately every two and one-half years. They discuss issues that expatriates find important. Delegates are encouraged to submit initiatives for consideration. Resolutions are then shared with the Finnish government. FEP is politically non-aligned and currently has 531 participating organizations in 39 countries, one of which is SFHS. Some of FEP’s impressive accomplishments are dual citizenship (2003), Finnish expatriates can restore their Finnish citizenship (2011), support for language learning for Finnish children abroad (both Swedish and Finnish), and absentee voting by mail (2015).
Voting by Mail Begins in 2019
Prior to the voting by mail initiative expatriates could vote while abroad but it was difficult. They had to vote at a polling place, usually in a consulate, and they were often too far away to be used by a majority of expatriates. In 2012, only 13.9 percent of expatriates made it to the polling places and in 2010 10 percent voted. Now all expatriates will have the opportunity to cast their ballots during the parliamentary election on April 14, 2019.
Ensure Your Right to Vote
Expatriates with the right to vote will have two choices for casting their ballot. They can vote by mail or vote at a polling place. To vote by mail there are steps that must be taken.
- Order voting documents from the Finnish Ministry of Justice. They can be ordered up to three months before the election. The documents can be ordered through the electronic subscriptions form at vaalit.fi.
- To avoid submitting a late ballot consider voting as early as March 14, 2019. This is when the parliamentary candidates’ numbers are announced.
- Notification of the right to vote will be sent to voters a month before the elections. It will contain important information. The notification will be sent to the address listed in the Finnish Population Information System 51 days prior to the election. To update your information visit maistraatti.fi.
- Voting requires two witnesses. They confirm that the secret ballot and election freedom are respected. The witnesses must sign the voting documents and provide their address on the form.
- The absentee ballot must be mailed to Finland to the correct central election committee by the Friday before the election, April 12, 2019. Voters are responsible for paying the postage for their ballot.
For additional information and resources visit www.suomi-seura.fi or their Facebook page.