Become a councillor

Do you want to help shape the future of Finland? Run as a candidate in the municipal or county elections in 2025 and make your voice heard! We are looking for dedicated and passionate individuals who want to contribute to creating a better society for all. As a candidate, you will have the opportunity to influence local decisions, improve welfare, and make a real difference in your municipality or welfare area. Join us, and together we can work towards a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable Finland. Your commitment can change lives – both your own and those of your fellow citizens.

Municipal elections
The most important matters of a municipality are decided by the municipal council (kommunfullmäktige/kunnanvaltuusto) as well as in the Wellbeing services counties and the regional council (välfärdsområdesfullmäktige/hyvinvointialuevaltuusto). The members of the municipal council, i.e. the municipal councillors, are elected through the municipal election and the regional councillors are elected in the county elections. The municipal election and county elections are held every four years. The number of municipal councillors depends on the population of the municipality and the number of county councillors depends on the population of the county .

Who can vote?
You can vote in the municipal election and county election if:

you are a citizen of Finland, another EU country, Norway or Iceland and turn 18 on the election day, at the latest. In addition, your municipality of residence must be the municipality in question 51 days prior to the election day, at the latest.
you are a citizen of any other country and turn 18 on the election day, at the latest. In addition, your municipality of residence must be the municipality in question 51 days prior to the election day, at the latest. You must also have had a municipality of residence in Finland for a continuous period of at least two years.

Who can be a candidate?
Candidates can be placed by

parties in the register of political parties and
persons entitled to vote who have set up a constituency association.

A candidate must be a person

who has the right to vote in municipal and county elections,
whose municipality of residence is the municipality or county in question,
who is not under guardianship.

If you are interested to run in the municipal or county elections for the council contact one of our regional liason officers. They will help you come in contact with the local activists in your home municipality or your wellbeing services county.