In New York, 523 Swedes have had time to vote, which is 76 more than at the same time in 2022, reports the organisation Swedes Around the World.
In several parts of Spain, more Swedes are also reported to be voting than four years ago, and participation is expected to increase further as the election approaches. Interest is also greater than before in Perth, Cape Town and Edinburgh.
Cecilia Borglin, secretary-general of Swedes Around the World, believes the number of votes from Swedes abroad is on track to reach a record high. There are almost 25 percent more people on the electoral roll than last time. This follows contact from the Election Authority with around 82,000 people who have dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out, of the electoral roll, which happens after ten years abroad.
Also new this year is that Swedes living abroad can vote early if they are visiting Sweden.
“Eyes opened”
Cecilia Borglin also feels there is increased commitment.
"I think more people have become aware that political decisions actually affect those living abroad. I also think that many people feel they want to exercise their democratic right to vote," she says.
At the same time, some voters who wanted to cast their votes via postal ballot have contacted us and complained about the adhesive on the envelopes.
Swedes living in countries with humid climates, most recently in Hong Kong, have reported that the envelopes have stuck together because of the humidity. And if you rip open the envelope and put a small piece of tape on it, the vote becomes invalid, says Borglin.
The same thing happened in the last election, she says.
It's not good, these are votes that are lost.
Leaned right
The votes of Swedes abroad could be decisive if the election is tied.
There are a total of 370,574 Swedes living abroad who are eligible to vote. Voter turnout in the last election was just over 30 percent. In the last election, there was only a difference of 46,000 votes between the blocs.
The most recent major voter survey among Swedes living abroad was conducted by election researchers at the University of Gothenburg after the 2014 election. It showed that Swedes living abroad voted more to the right than average - for example, 36 percent voted for M while 15 percent cast their vote for S.
Cecilia Borglin thinks it is difficult to generalise about the party sympathies of Swedes living abroad.
It is a very heterogeneous group, ranging from students to working people and retirees.
