Parish elections 2022

Parish elections will be held on 20 November 2022.

Parish elections are held every four years. In parish elections, Church members in approximately 378 parishes elect a total of roughly 8000 representatives that begin their four-year term after the elections.

Parish elections are first and foremost local elections that govern decision-making in your parish: how will money be allocated, what activities will be offered, who will receive assistance, and where and how? Parish elections allow parishioners to choose the people who represent them in planning parish activities for the following four years. Ideally, those elected represent a range of ages, fields and experience.

Two elections

The Kokkola Parish Union comprises six Evangelical Lutheran local parishes situated in Kokkola, Kaustinen and Halsua. That means that two elections are held. In one election, representatives are elected to the parish board, the executive body of the parish, and, in the other, to the parish union board, the executive body of the parish union. Separate candidate lists are compiled for both elections, and candidates can choose to run in either one or both elections.

Who can stand for election?

Candidates must be confirmed members of the Church who have turned 18 on or before the election day. Candidates have to give their written consent to stand for election.

If you would like to stand for election, contact your parish for more information.

Who can vote?

Parish elections are the only national elections in which the voting age is 16.

You can vote if you are a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and have turned 16 on or before the election day. Confirmation preparation or confirmation itself are not required; Church membership is enough.

The election day for the upcoming elections is 20 November 2022. To vote, you must be a Church member or become one by 15 August 2022.

Not a member? Join the Church.

Important dates

Advance voting is held on 8–12 November 2022.

You can vote in advance at any advance polling station in Finland. The election day proper is 20 November 2022. Remember to take your identity card with you when you vote!

To vote, you need to know your candidate’s number. The numbers are available on parish websites (in Finnish) after the candidates have been nominated.

The official election day is 20 November 2022.

Polling stations are open from 11 am to 8 pm on the official election day.

Please note that you can only vote in a polling station of your parish on the official election day.

If your mobility is limited and you cannot get to the polling station or an advance polling station without unreasonable difficulty, you can vote in advance at home. To request home voting, contact your parish by 4 pm on 4 November 2022 to receive more information.