Quit chewing on it - Vote in the municipal elections!

You can vote in advance in the municipal elections from May 26 to June 8. and on official election day on Sunday 13 June. For many, however, it will not be done, even if voting for one’s own candidate provides a way to influence municipal services. Exercise your right to vote.

Vote a PAM member to the local council

PAM's municipal election themes state that municipal services are of great importance, especially for low-income people. Services affect how work is done in a 24/7 society, for example for day care and public transport.

The advantage of those working in the service sectors is that they are the ones on municipal councils who truly understand the daily lives of employees. Municipal decision-making requires representatives who want to promote people's right to work in decision-making, create opportunities for a safe and good life and take care of the most vulnerable.

It is clear that the perspectives of decision makers are influenced not only by their party, but also by the kind of life they themselves live and know of. The city council is not representing residents in a miniature format, but it reflects the voting residents even better.

Check out PAM members who are running as candidates for their local councils in our candidate gallery and vote!

Municipal services make life easier

In the last municipal elections, about 60 percent of all eligible voters exercised their right to influence. The election study found that there is a link between education and voting in particular. The higher the education, the more likely you are to vote.  

Age is by no means as decisive a factor in turnout as is generally thought. For example, 72 per cent of 25-34 year olds with a university degree voted, but 38 per cent of secondary school leavers of the same age. The majority of PAM members have secondary education.

According to Sami Borg, an researcher who conducted the voting survey, the reason for not voting did not seem to be so much that people had not found things that they wanted to influence in municipal services. Instead, voting easily is left undone just if there is no social pressure on it.

As many as 71 per cent of those who responded to the PAM membership survey in November said they would vote in the municipal elections in 2021. In the municipal elections, power is shared equally. The voice of the poor has the same weight as the rich, the young as much as the old. It can be said that in an election, the voice of the weakest is at its strongest. Too few use their share of power. Once you get that share, it’s worth using.