Gränsöverskridande valdeltagande

Sammanfattning

This essay examines the impact of postal voting on Finnish expatriates living in Sweden, focusing on their perspectives on the reform as a method to increase voter turnout. The Finnish societal structure is deeply grounded in democracy and human rights. However, voter turnout among Finns, especially those living abroad, remains low despite their rights to participate in their homeland's political decisions. The introduction of postal voting in 2019 represents a significant step toward modernising Finland's electoral system, making it more accessible for Finnish expatriates to participate in their homeland's elections. This study, based on a survey, examines the effectiveness of this reform in reducing practical and economic barriers, enhancing the sense of civic duty and promoting democratic and transnational political participation. The results indicate that postal voting has increased and simplified electoral participation among Finnish expatriates. Although the reform is positively viewed by Finnish expatriates living in Sweden, the study reveals a relatively large lack of awareness about postal voting among the respondents. Therefore, improving communication about postal voting is essential to maximise its impact for the future. In conclusion, this thesis offers a unique insight into the dynamic relationships between electoral systems, global migration and political participation.