Voter Registration Significance Expressions

the electoral roll

Tip: drawn automatically from the population register, not from an application

to be on the electoral roll

Tip: 'stå' = to stand; used for appearing on any list

population registration

Tip: the Swedish civil register — where you are registered decides where you vote

to be registered at an address

Tip: 'folkbokförd' has no neat English equivalent

the right to vote

Tip: literally 'vote right'; won in stages in Sweden, completed in 1921

to be entitled to vote

Tip: 'rösträttsålder' is the voting age, 18 in Sweden

the voting card

Tip: posted automatically to everyone on the roll before an election

to lose your voting card

Tip: not a disaster — you can vote with ID alone in your own vallokal

to order a duplicate card

Tip: available from Valmyndigheten or the municipality

to bring valid ID

Tip: 'giltig' = valid; required to collect your ballots

the cut-off date

Tip: the roll is fixed 30 days before election day

to notify a change of address

Tip: done via Skatteverket; it moves your vote to the new municipality

to check your details

Tip: 'uppgifter' = the personal details held about you

the right to vote in local elections

Tip: non-citizens resident in Sweden may vote in municipal and regional elections

citizenship

Tip: required for the Riksdag election, but not for the local ones

to turn eighteen

Tip: 'fylla' = to fill; the Swedish verb for having a birthday

to vote from abroad

Tip: possible at embassies and consulates, or by post

to register on the electoral roll from abroad

Tip: Swedes abroad drop off the roll after ten years unless they re-register

it's your right and your responsibility

Tip: note the gender agreement: 'din rätt' but 'ditt ansvar'

don't leave it until the last minute

Tip: 'i sista stund' = at the last moment

no entry on the roll, no vote

Tip: the blunt way of stating why registration matters