Young Sámi urged to join electoral roll before 2027 elections

Applications to Finland’s Sámi Parliament electoral roll are open, with young people and those who have not previously been listed being especially encouraged to apply, Yle reports.

The application period follows amendments to the Sámi Parliament Act, which have changed the eligibility criteria. Applications must be submitted by September 30 through the Sámi Parliament’s website.

“We are trying to guide young people to find information from the right sources about how to apply to the electoral roll so they can vote in the next elections,” said Jaakko Toikka, chair of the Association of Sámi Youth in Finland.

The association does not take part in the official application process. It aims to direct young people to the Sámi Parliament’s official application forms and provide information about the changes.

Language criterion extended to fourth generation

The revised criteria allow applicants to join the electoral roll if they consider themselves Sámi and if they or at least one of their great-grandparents learned a Sámi language as their first language.

Applicants must also turn 18 by the final election day, October 3, 2027. They must be Finnish citizens or have a municipality of residence in Finland when the application deadline passes.

Applicants may also qualify if at least one of their parents has been registered as entitled to vote in Sámi Parliament elections held from 2027 onwards. The parent does not need to have received official confirmation of acceptance onto the electoral roll.

Juha Tapiola, chair of the Sámi Parliament’s electoral committee, said the expanded language criterion was expected to bring new people onto the roll.

People who were on the electoral roll in 2024 do not need to apply again if they still meet the eligibility requirements.

Applications can be submitted in four languages

The application form is available in Finnish and three Sámi languages on the Sámi Parliament election website. Tapiola urged people to apply even if they were unsure whether they had all the required information. The electoral committee can request additional details if something is missing.

Leo Aikio, first deputy chair of the Sámi Parliament, also advised applicants to prepare their applications in good time, as various documents may be required.

Toikka said being included on the electoral roll and voting were important so that people could influence decisions made by the Sámi Parliament and ensure that Sámi interests were represented.

If people do not apply during the current period, the next elections will be held in four years.