Your vote matters. Every four years, Sweden holds electionsThe democratic process where citizens vote to choose their political representatives.. Voters choose which partiesA group of people with similar political ideas that stands in elections. and politicians will govern at the nationalSweden's parliament with 349 members. It passes laws and decides the national budget., regionalOne of Sweden's 21 regions, responsible for healthcare and public transport., and municipalOne of Sweden's 290 municipalities, responsible for local services like schools, preschools, elderly care, libraries, and water. level.
The next election day is Sunday, September 13, 2026, but you can cast an early vote from August 26th.
What is democracy in Sweden?
Sweden is a democracy
Democracy means rule by the people, that citizens decide through free elections.
Free elections
Every four years the people choose which partiesA group of people with similar political ideas that stands in elections. will govern
Everyone is equal before the law
The same rights and obligations for all citizens
Freedom of expression
Everyone may think, say and write what they want, as long as they follow the law
Secret ballot
No one can see what you vote and you never need to tell anyone what you vote for
The pillars of democracy: free elections, equality before the law, freedom of expression, and a secret ballot.
Sweden is a democracyA system of government where the people decide through free elections, have freedom of speech and is equal before the law.. That means the people decide, no single person or group holds all the power. Instead, residents choose their representatives through free electionsThe democratic process where citizens vote to choose their political representatives.. Every four years, everyone who has the right to vote picks which partiesA group of people with similar political ideas that stands in elections. will run the country.
In a democracy everyone is equal before the law. Everyone has the same rights and obligations, regardless of background. Freedom of expressionFreedom of expression is the right to express your opinions, thoughts, and ideas freely through speech, writing, images, or other forms of communication. In Sweden, freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution, but it has certain limits, such as laws against threats, defamation, and incitement against protected groups. means that people can say and write what they think, as long as they follow the law. You have the right to keep your vote a secret. No one can see what you vote for and you never have to tell anyone.
Three elections on the same day
You vote in three separate elections at once. Each one affects a certain level of society.
Three elections
Each vote decides a certain level of government.
Riksdagen
National parliament
349
members
Laws for the whole country
National budget and taxes
Defence and foreign policy
Yellow ballot
Regionen
Regional council
21
regions
Healthcare and hospitals
Health centres
Public transport and buses
Blue ballot
Kommunen
Municipal council
290
municipalities
Schools and preschool
Elderly care
Libraries, water and roads
White ballot
Three elections on the same day - RiksdagSweden's parliament with 349 members. It passes laws and decides the national budget., regionOne of Sweden's 21 regions, responsible for healthcare and public transport. and municipalityOne of Sweden's 290 municipalities, responsible for local services like schools, preschools, elderly care, libraries, and water., each with its own ballotA paper with party names used for voting. Available in the voting locations. Yellow = Riksdag, blue = region, white = municipality..
The Riksdag (National Parliament)
The RiksdagSweden's parliament with 349 members. It passes laws and decides the national budget. is Sweden's parliament with 349 membersAn elected person who holds a seat in a decision-making assembly, such as the Riksdag, a regional council, or a municipal council.. The partiesA group of people with similar political ideas that stands in elections. that receive the most votes form the government and pass laws for the entire country. The Riksdag decides on the national budget, taxes, defence, and foreign policy.
Regional Council (Regionfullmäktige)
Sweden's 21 regionsOne of Sweden's 21 regions, responsible for healthcare and public transport. are responsible for healthcare and public transport. In the regional election you choose the council membersAn elected person who holds a seat in a decision-making assembly, such as the Riksdag, a regional council, or a municipal council. of the regional council (regionfullmäktige)A region's highest decision-making assembly, which is a group of elected members deciding on various topics. Its members are elected in the regional election and decide on healthcare and public transport. Your vote influences for example how hospitals, healthcare centres and bus services are organised.
Municipal Council (Kommunfullmäktige)
Sweden's 290 municipalitiesOne of Sweden's 290 municipalities, responsible for local services like schools, preschools, elderly care, libraries, and water. handle the services closest to your daily life: schools, preschools, elderly care, libraries, water and sewage, and local planning. In the municipal election you choose the membersAn elected person who holds a seat in a decision-making assembly, such as the Riksdag, a regional council, or a municipal council. of the municipal council (kommunfullmäktige)A municipality's highest decision-making assembly, which is a group of members deciding on various topics. Its members are elected in the municipal election and decide on schools, elderly care, and other local services.. Your vote directly shapes the community you live in.
Why all three elections matter
Municipalities and regions decide many things that affect everyday life, such as healthcare, schools, public transport and elderly care. The Riksdag sets the framework through laws and budgets. By voting in all three elections, you make sure your views are represented at every level. You do not have to vote for the same party in all three elections.
Hjälp mig rösta 2026!