Voting in Helsinki Youth Council polls begins

Voting on the Helsinki Youth Council elections has begun on Monday and will continue till 26 November, said the City of Helsinki in a press release.

The total number of eligible voters in Helsinki is 28,538. New Youth Council members will be elected for a two-year term beginning on 1 January 2022.

A total of 74 candidates are contensting the elections and the number higher than in the previous elections in 2019, indicating that young people are increasingly interested in having their say.

Young people have increasingly highlighted equality, non-discrimination and the mental health of young people in their electoral themes. Similar to previous years, other prominent themes include climate change and environmental issues and the importance of a safe and tolerant school environment.

Summer job opportunities, public transport and school meals are also recurrent themes in youth council elections.

As usual, young people in Helsinki can vote at schools and youth centres. A new feature is the Helsinki Central Library Oodi’s polling point open in the lobby from 16:00 to 19:00 during the elections days.

Youth councils are youth representative bodies prescribed by the Municipal Act. They are politically independent bodies that operate in their respective municipalities representing the interests of local young people.

Election results will be announced on 8 December at the RuutiGaala starting from 18:00 and the nuorten.helsinki website from around 21:00.