Swedes abroad could be decisive in this autumn's election because Swedish elections tend to be close.
Today, the Election Authority is sending out voting cards to just over 200,000 eligible voters abroad.
Earlier this year, the government tasked the authority with expanding information to Swedes living abroad in order to increase voting abroad.
This spring, we sent out letters to approximately 82,000 Swedes abroad who had fallen off the electoral roll to encourage them to re-register. We have also produced a guide on val.se for Swedes abroad and an information campaign aimed at Swedes abroad that will start at the end of July, says Annica Sundel, Head of Unit at the Swedish Election Authority.
On average, just over 30 percent of the more than 200,000 Swedes living abroad vote.
More voting locations
Digital voting cards have also been introduced and the number of voting locations abroad has been expanded to nearly 300, with extended opening hours.
Swedes living abroad can either vote early at embassies and consulates around the world or vote by mail. The most common mistake many people make is not following the instructions carefully enough when filling out their postal vote, according to the Swedish Election Authority.
Votes were discarded
In the last election year, 2022, 13 percent of postal votes were disqualified due to formal errors such as missing signatures from the voter or witnesses.
We also see that votes can come in too early or too late so that they don't make it to the vote count. But it also happens that not all the information is filled in, says Annica Sundel.
The postal vote with ballot must be posted no earlier than July 30th.
Corrected: A previous version contained incorrect information about the number of Swedes living abroad and incorrect wording about postal votes.
Overseas voting cards with voting materials will begin to be sent out on Tuesday, July 7th.
Early voting abroad in this year's election will start no earlier than July 30th for a limited period. It is important to ensure that your vote arrives before the vote count.
Early voting at consulates and Swedish embassies opens on August 20.
Anyone living abroad is included in the electoral roll for parliamentary elections ten years after moving abroad. After ten years, you must register for a new ten-year period.
Source: Election Authority.
