Local government elections were held 26 May 2018. The total number of municipalities was 72, two less than in the previous elections of 2014. Sixteen municipalities, where 1% of the total number of individuals on the electoral roll resided, had direct voting, while 56 municipalities, with 99% of individuals of the electoral roll, had proportional voting where 198 candidate lists were presented. Thereof one list was elected without a ballot as it was unopposed in the respective municipality.
The number of voters on the electoral roll of the 2018 elections was 247,943, corresponding to 71.2% of the population. The number of men on the electoral roll was 123,763 and women were 124,180. Participation in the elections was 67.6% (66.5% in 2014). Participation was higher for women than for men, or 68.8% against 66.5%. The participation varied by age, it was lower among young voters than the older ones. The participation of new young voters was 51.5%. It was 18% among foreign citizens with the right to vote, 51% of Nordic voters and 15% of other foreign voters.
Of the 167,586 votes cast there were 4,225 blank votes and 774 were deemed void, totalling 3.0%. The number of valid votes was 162,587.
There were 3,482 candidates on the 198 lists, 1,797 men (51.6%) and 1,685 women (48.4%) in the municipalities with proportional voting. Of these, 420 were elected representatives and 82 were elected in the municipalities with direct voting. Thus a total of 502 representatives were elected to a total of 72 local councils in 2018, 266 men (53.0%) and 236 women (47%). The share of women was the highest in local elections so far.
Local government elections 26 May 2018 - Statistical series