Overseas Elections

Elections are held not only in Japan but also abroad. For this page, we will introduce international voting rates, and Sweden and Germany election systems details, which have some of the highest voting rates in the world.



Sweden


Outline

  • Constitutional democracy

  • The head of state is the king, but his powers are extremely limited

  • A one-chamber (unicameral) system

  • Both national and local elections, it is done through a system of proportional representation .

  • The right to vote: from 18 years old


Swedish Elections

◎About Elections
・Elections are held every four years, on the second or third Sunday in September
・Each voter can vote for either a politician or a political party

*Advance voting, which becomes available 18 days prior to the election date, does not specify the polling place, and voting can be done from anywhere. Also, a voting card sent in advance, is required for advance voting



Voter turnout in Sweden

(Click on graph to enlarge)


This graph shows that voter turnout has remained high, regardless of age
⇒How is it possible to maintain such a high voter turnout...

So here are some of the great things about Sweden!↓↓↓


What is great about Sweden?

  1. They usually talk about politics with people around them

    2. They often hear their parents talking about politics at meals, and naturally become interested in politics.

  2. High school students have the opportunity to discuss national issues with ministers in parliament
  3. National and local elections are held on the same day

    4. Since it is held on the same day, it eliminates the need to visit the polling place several times.

  4. Polling places are located in various locations

    5. Examples: hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and prisons

  5. Mock voting at schools

    6. Sweden has a mock voting program called "School Election". This is conducted by the Swedish government for 13 through 18-year-olds, nationwide.
    Participate or not depends on each of them.Every election turnout is around 80%.
    In Japan, mock voting is sometimes held in each schools. However, in Sweden, the national government holds these school elections, so hole area students vote to the one school election. This is good to know students’ opinions on politics beyond their schools!
    They will also have the opportunity to hear firsthand from legislators and staff from each party before they vote.
    Furthermore, during the election period, if students want to take a day off from school on a school day to conduct election-related activities, teacher will not count it as an absence.

  6. Youth Party

    7. Youth Party is a party of young people that exists within a political party.For example, Sweden's Social Democratic Workers' Party has the Swedish Social Democratic Youth League (SSU).
    The age for participation is different for each party. For instance, SSU is open to those between the ages of 13 and 35. This party has 18,000 members. The Swedish Youth Party members attract new members and make its proposals on policies, themselves.
    Some parties have reserved seats for representatives from youth parties to discuss the issues with *party members. *party members do not mean youth party members.
    Some region’s mayor belongs to the Youth Partyso it easily reflects the opinions of young people!