Language skills and the sense of belonging with the local community increase immigrants’ voter turnout in Finland
Language skills and the sense of belonging with the local community increase immigrants’ voter turnout in Finland
Knowledge of Finnish or Swedish and a sense of belonging with the community where they live, and with Finns increase the likelihood of immigrants voting in the municipal elections in Finland.
The reason for migrating to Finland also correlates with voter turnout. Voting is more common among those who move to Finland for family reasons than among those who come here for work.
The information is from a study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on voter turnout in municipal elections in the 18 regions in continental Finland and in the six largest cities.
“Work-based immigration is desired, and integration is often examined based on whether or not a person is employed. However, it appears that identity-based integration – the experience of belonging to the local population – would be more important for voting. A simultaneous sense of belonging to the citizenry of the country of origin does not reduce the likelihood of voting”, says Anna Seppänen, Project Coordinator at THL.
“Meanwhile, for those who came to Finland for family reasons, a spouse or a family can be a factor that helps the person create bonds with the new society, thereby encouraging participation in elections”, Seppänen adds.
Lack of information is the most common reason not to vote
In the municipal elections of 2017, 25 percent of all eligible voters with foreign backgrounds cast ballots. If the voter turnout is as low in the 2021 elections, it means that 300,000 potential votes will not be used.
A lack of information is overwhelmingly the most common reason for immigrants in Finland not to exercise their right to vote. Other important reasons to abstain include a lack of interest or not finding a suitable candidate, as well as a general mistrust of politics.
“Information on the elections, voting rights, and candidates is primarily available in Finnish and Swedish. Having information available in people's own native languages in a clear and accessible form could increase voter turnout among those who have moved to Finland”, Seppänen ponders.
The material used for this study has been gathered from the Survey on Well-Being among Foreign Born Population, comprising of responses given by 6,836 Finnish residents with foreign backgrounds. Data information from registers was also used. The participants were 1864 years old. In addition to voting, the study examined issues including matters related to health and well-being of those who have moved to Finland as well as experiences they have had with social and health services. The information will be used in promoting health and the ability to work, developing social and health services, and monitoring the progress of integration.
Source
More information
Anna Seppänen
Project Coordinator
THL
tel. +358 29 524 7320
[email protected]
Hannamaria Kuusio
Research Manager
THL
tel. +358 29 524 7657
[email protected]
