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THE CHILDREN'S ELECTIONS ONLINE

26.5. – 13.6.2021

Children will again have a chance to use their vote when the Children’s Elections are organised in connection with the municipal elections across Finland this spring. JCI Finland, the city of Pori and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities together nominate the national candidates, illustrated fictional characters, who compete for children’s votes to become decisionmakers in Finnish cities and municipalities.

Voting is open on this website from 26 May to 13 June 2021.

WHAT ARE THE ELECTIONS ABOUT?

The national Children’s Elections will be organised in connection with the municipal elections in
spring 2021. The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, JCI Finland and the City of
Pori are the main organisers of the Children's Elections. The elections, which have been held in
Pori three times before, have received a great deal of positive feedback, and the idea has caught
on in other cities and municipalities as well. The Children's Elections were first held nationally in
spring 2019 in connection with the European elections, and they attracted huge participation. This
year we will make the elections an even greater success!

An important aspect of the Children’s Elections is that they are completely non-partisan. The
candidates are fictional characters drawn by Finnish illustrators and described in lively and positive
terms in candidate presentations. You can read more about the candidates on the Children’s
Elections website this spring.

 

WHY?

The most important goal of the Children’s Elections is to support and extend children’s democracy education. Our campaign gives children both a voice and a vote. Children will learn about ways to influence society when adults vote. The website and several cooperation partners will provide a wide range of content for children encouraging them to active citizenship. 

 

HOW?

In the previous years, the official polling stations have offered a separate place for children to vote in with the help of an adult accompanying them. This year, the focus is on providing opportunities for voting digitally due to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation. Local authorities may, insofar as possible, also promote the organisation of voting at the official polling stations. The results of the Children’s Elections will be published in the week following the official election day.

 

WHO?

The national Children’s Elections will be organised by JCI Finland, the City of Pori and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities in close cooperation and dialogue with different cities and municipalities. The elections take place in Finnish, Swedish, English and Northern Sámi.