Election time in Norway
Jens Stoltenberg's second government was appointed by King Harald V on 17 October 2005. It is a majority government representing the Labour Party, the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party. From the left: Minister of Transport and Communications and leader of the Centre Party, Liv Signe Navarsete, Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, Jens Stoltenberg and Minister of Finance and leader of the Socialist Left Party, Kristin Halvorsen. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister
Election day in Norway is Monday September 14, 2009. Voters who live abroad can vote in advanced, in person or via mail, from July 1 until September 4, 2009.
The Storting (Parliament) is Norway’s democratically elected national assembly. 169 representatives are elected for a four-year period of office. Their duty is to represent the population of all 19 constituencies, corresponding to the 19 counties of Norway. The most important activities of the Parliament are to pass laws, set the state budget and conduct the work of government.
The Sameting (Sami Assembly) is an independent, democratically elected organ that serves as the representative mouthpiece of the Sami indigenous peoples of Norway. 39 representatives are elected for a four-year period of office. Their duty is to represent the Sami people throughout Norway. The Sami Assembly administers its own budget within a framework set by the central government. The Sami Assembly exercises decision-making authority in areas that come within its scope.
Who can vote?
Norwegian citizens over the age of 18 years, or who turn 18 years of age in an election year, are entitled to vote in Norway’s Parliamentary elections. Electors must be, or have been, registered as resident in Norway.
How and where can you vote?
On election day people living in Norway must cast their vote in the municipal authority area in which they are registered as residing. This is the municipal authority area where the voter was registered as residing in the Norwegian National Population Register on 30 June 2009. You may cast your vote at any polling station within the municipal authority area. If you live in the U.S. you can vote, and receive the proper voting material, at many different locations.
- at Norwegian Foreign Service missions (embassies, consulates, general consulates, and any other office of a mission)
- by returning officers specially appointed by the County Governor in Oslo and Akershus on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development
- by returning officers on Jan Mayen
- by the Governor of Svalbard or the person appointed by the Governor
Voters who are unable to vote through a returning officer may send their ballot to Norway by ordinary post (postal voting from abroad). The voter may request that voting materials be sent to him/her from a Foreign Service mission.
An alternative is that the voter may download the necessary materials (with the exception of the official ballot paper envelope). Click here to read about voting in advance from abroad
For further information visit The Norwegian Foreign Ministry’s web site: www.norway.org and Valg.no
For more information on the different political parties see their web sites:
Centre Party (SP): www.sp09.no
Christian People’s Party (KRF): www.krf.no
Conservative Party (H): www.hoyre09.no
Labor Party (AP): www.arbeiderpartiet.no
Liberal Party (V): www.venstre.no
Progress Party (FRP): www.frp.no
Socialist Left Party: www.sv.no
