2026-03-112025/26:KU27 · p.2KUConstitution
Increased Voter Turnout
Action plan to boost voter turnout
What's at stake: Turnout dipped slightly in both the 2022 parliamentary election and the European Parliament election, raising questions about democratic legitimacy and which groups vote least. The outcome affects how much targeted effort goes into future elections, especially toward groups with lower turnout.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether parliament should instruct the government to draw up a dedicated action plan to raise voter turnout, or whether ongoing information efforts are enough.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the call for an action plan. It points out that the government is already running targeted turnout initiatives ahead of the 2026 elections, and that while high turnout matters for legitimacy, no further parliamentary initiative is needed.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 2 (S)
The reservation (res-2) calls for the government to draw up an action plan to increase voter turnout. It argues that turnout fell in both the 2022 parliamentary election and the EU election, and that current efforts are insufficient, partly because young people rarely get to meet party youth organizations in school.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 2 by S.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Yes 18/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | No 1/88/0/17 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 15/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 20/1/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 13/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 56/0/0/12 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 62/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
Broke with the party line
| SLawen Redar (S, Stockholms kommun) | Yes — party line: No |
| CMartin Ådahl (C, Stockholms kommun) | No — party line: Yes |
MPs whose vote differs from their party's majority position in this division. Marked with a dark ring in the chamber view.
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motion 2025/26:3721 by Jennie Nilsson and others (S) item 2.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2025/26:3721 av Jennie Nilsson m.fl. (S) yrkande 2.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag proposes that the Riksdag rejects 42 proposals in motions regarding electoral issues. The motions have been submitted during the general motion period 2025 and address, among other things, the electoral system, increased voter turnout, voting age, names of electoral districts, separate election days, and voters with visual impairment or other disability. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to earlier positions and that work is already underway in the areas covered by the proposals.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the government to develop an action plan for increased voter turnout. (S) — Reservation 2
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan wants to build on Sweden's democratisation and break up the structures that hold back many from participating on equal terms in political life.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to build on Sweden's democratisation and break up the structures that hold back many from participating on equal terms in political life. A declining voter turnout in precisely these groups is exactly the problem the plan points out, and an action plan is a means to meet it. The plan says nothing about how existing measures should be assessed.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill bygga vidare på Sveriges demokratisering och bryta upp de strukturer som håller tillbaka många från att delta på jämlika villkor i det politiska livet. Ett sjunkande valdeltagande i just de grupperna är precis det problem planen pekar ut, och en handlingsplan är ett medel att möta det. Planen säger inget om hur befintliga insatser bör värderas.
- equal political participationdecisive»Vi vill bryta upp de gamla strukturer« (party programme ↗)“We want to break up the old structures”
- deepened democracy»Vi vill bygga vidare på Sveriges demokratisering. Vi vill förstärka och« (party programme ↗)“We want to build on Sweden's democratisation. We want to strengthen and”
- restore the role of politics»Att återupprätta politikens roll, och utkräva ansvar från de som bestämmer, är något som du är med och gör.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Restoring the role of politics, and demanding accountability from those who decide, is something you participate in doing.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme itself points out that voter participation has declined in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and that everyone shall be given equal opportunity to participate in society.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme itself points out that voter participation has declined in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and that everyone shall be given equal opportunity to participate in society. An action plan for increased voter participation is a means for the equal participation the plan calls for. The plan also elevates vibrant popular movements, which speaks for young people being able to meet political organizations in school.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet pekar självt ut att valdeltagandet gått ned i socioekonomiskt eftersatta områden och att alla ska ges lika möjlighet till delaktighet i samhällslivet. En handlingsplan för ökat valdeltagande är ett medel för just den jämlika delaktighet planen efterlyser. Planen lyfter dessutom livskraftiga folkrörelser, vilket talar för att unga ska få möta politiska organisationer i skolan.
- declining voter participationdecisive»valdeltagandet gått ned i socioekonomiskt eftersatta områden« (party programme ↗)“voter participation has declined in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas”
- equal democratic participation»Alla ska ges lika möjlighet till delaktighet i samhällslivet, oavsett bakgrund.« (party programme ↗)“Everyone shall be given equal opportunity to participate in society, regardless of background.”
- vibrant popular movements»Livskraftiga folkrörelser för att hålla ihop samhället.« (party programme ↗)“Vibrant popular movements to hold society together.”
- universal and equal suffrage»Allmän och lika rösträtt.« (party programme ↗)“Universal and equal suffrage.”
The party programme establishes that democratic exclusion shall be countered and that common democratic institutions shall be strengthened so that everyone's right and opportunity to participate is guaranteed.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that democratic exclusion shall be countered and that common democratic institutions shall be strengthened so that everyone's right and opportunity to participate is guaranteed. An action plan for increased voter participation is a direct means for precisely this, and the programme's requirement for increased youth influence strengthens the conclusion. No action plan is explicitly mentioned in the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att det demokratiska utanförskapet ska motverkas och att de gemensamma demokratiska institutionerna ska stärkas så att allas rätt och möjlighet till deltagande garanteras. En handlingsplan för ökat valdeltagande är ett direkt medel för just detta, och programmets krav på ungas ökade inflytande stärker slutsatsen. Någon handlingsplan nämns inte uttryckligen i planen.
- counter democratic exclusiondecisive»Det demokratiska utanförskapet, där tilliten till politiken och samhällets« (party programme ↗)“Democratic exclusion, where trust in politics and society's”
- everyone's right to participate»och garantera allas rätt och möjlighet till deltagande« (party programme ↗)“and guarantee everyone's right and opportunity to participate”
- youth influence in elections»100 år sedan. Vi anser att utvecklingen ska fortsätta och att rösträttsåldern ska sänkas« (party programme ↗)“100 years ago. We believe that the development should continue and that the voting age should be lowered”
- participatory democracy»Miljöpartiet för en deltagande demokrati« (party programme ↗)“The Greens for a participatory democracy”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto states that liberal democracy must never be taken for granted but must be nurtured, protected and further developed, and highlights independent adult education's importance when democratic values are questioned.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto states that liberal democracy must never be taken for granted but must be nurtured, protected and further developed, and highlights independent adult education's importance when democratic values are questioned. The party programme makes education and civil society's voluntary organizing foundation parts of democracy. Coordinated work for higher voter turnout, including youth organizations' presence in schools, follows from this.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår fast att den liberala demokratin aldrig får tas för given utan ska vårdas, värnas och vidareutvecklas, och lyfter den fristående folkbildningens betydelse när demokratiska värden ifrågasätts. Partiprogrammet gör utbildning och civilsamhällets frivilliga organisering till bärande delar av demokratin. Ett samlat arbete för högre valdeltagande, inklusive ungdomsförbundens närvaro i skolan, följer av detta.
- democracy must be nurtureddecisive»Den liberala demokratin får aldrig tas för given.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Liberal democracy must never be taken for granted.”
- adult education's role in democracy»En fristående folkbildning har mycket stor betydelse i tider då demokratiska värden ifrågasätts.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Independent adult education is very important in times when democratic values are questioned.”
- education for democracy»Utbildning är grundläggande i ett demokratiskt samhälle.« (party programme ↗)“Education is fundamental in a democratic society.”
- civil society sustains democracy»Det civila samhället, människornas frivilliga organisering« (party programme ↗)“Civil society, people's voluntary organizing”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that democracy must be explained and won for new generations and that there is a need for constant and sustained work to uphold democratic values.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that democracy must be explained and won for new generations and that there is a need for constant and sustained work to uphold democratic values. It also wants to see more opportunities to follow the political process and influence decision-making. An action plan for increased voter turnout, including young people encountering politics in school, is in line with these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att demokratin måste förklaras och vinnas för nya generationer och att det behövs ett ständigt och uthålligt arbete för att upprätthålla demokratiska värderingar. Den vill också se fler möjligheter att följa den politiska processen och påverka beslutsfattandet. En handlingsplan för ökat valdeltagande, inklusive att unga möter politiken i skolan, ligger i linje med dessa åtaganden.
- democracy for new generationsdecisive»Den svenska demokratin och våra medborgerliga rättigheter måste förklaras och vinnas för nya generationer.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Swedish democracy and our civil rights must be explained and won for new generations.”
- sustained democracy work»ständigt och uthålligt arbete för att upprätthålla demokratiska värderingar.« (party programme ↗)“constant and sustained work to uphold democratic values.”
- active citizens»Demokratin förutsätter aktiva medborgare och ett levande demokratiskt samtal.« (party programme ↗)“Democracy presupposes active citizens and a living democratic dialogue.”
- more ways to participation»fler möjligheter att följa den politiska processen och påverka beslutsfattandet.« (party programme ↗)“more opportunities to follow the political process and influence decision-making.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan's democratic ideal is that every citizen is given the opportunity for participation and engagement, not only at election time, and that working methods shall be developed so that active participation is encouraged.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's democratic ideal is that every citizen is given the opportunity for participation and engagement, not only at election time, and that working methods shall be developed so that active participation is encouraged. The school is given a large responsibility for preparing young citizens for participation in democracy. An action plan for increased voter participation, including meeting with political organizations in schools, is in line with these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planens demokratiideal är att varje medborgare ges möjlighet till deltagande och delaktighet, inte bara vid valtillfället, och att arbetsformerna ska utvecklas så att det aktiva deltagandet uppmuntras. Skolan tillskrivs ett stort ansvar för att förbereda de uppväxande medborgarna för deltagande i demokratin. En handlingsplan för ökat valdeltagande, inklusive mötet med politiska organisationer i skolan, ligger i linje med dessa åtaganden.
- active participation shall be encourageddecisive»utvecklas så att det aktiva deltagandet uppmuntras« (party programme ↗)“developed so that active participation is encouraged”
- school's democracy mission»stort ansvar för att förbereda de uppväxande medborgarna för ett deltagande i demokratin« (party programme ↗)“large responsibility for preparing young citizens for participation in democracy”
- strengthened democratic responsibility»uppmuntra och förstärka medborgarnas egna demokratiska« (party programme ↗)“encourage and strengthen citizens' own democratic”
- continuous engagement»deltagande, inflytande och delaktighet, inte bara vid valtillfället« (party programme ↗)“participation, influence and engagement, not only at election time”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan commits to strengthening liberal democracy and its foundations and states that a strong democracy is built on informed citizens and a living political life where engagement finds expression at several levels.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan commits to strengthening liberal democracy and its foundations and states that a strong democracy is built on informed citizens and a living political life where engagement finds expression at several levels. An action plan for increased voter turnout aligns with that. Voter turnout as a matter is not addressed, so the stance is derived from democracy commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen åtar sig att stärka den liberala demokratin och dess grundvalar och slår fast att en stark demokrati bygger på informerade medborgare och ett levande politiskt liv där engagemanget kommer till uttryck på flera nivåer. En handlingsplan för ökat valdeltagande ligger i linje med det. Valdeltagandet som sakfråga behandlas inte, varför ställningstagandet härleds ur demokratiåtagandena.
- strengthened liberal democracydecisive»Vi ska stärka den liberala demokratin.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We shall strengthen liberal democracy.”
- informed citizens»En stark demokrati bygger på informerade« (party programme ↗)“A strong democracy is built on informed”
- strengthened democratic foundations»Demokratins grundvalar behöver stärkas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Democracy's foundations need to be strengthened.”
- living political life»Sverige ska ha ett levande politiskt liv« (party programme ↗)“Sweden should have a living political life”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address voter turnout and an action plan for it.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address voter turnout and an action plan for it. The nearest principle is that all public power derives from the people, that the electoral system shall be strengthened so that elections can be conducted reliably and that citizens' opportunities for influence shall be broadened, including through citizens' initiatives. On that basis, work for higher voter turnout lies in the plan's direction, but support is weak and the conclusion uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte valdeltagandet och en handlingsplan för det. Den närmast liggande principen är att all offentlig makt utgår från folket, att valsystemet ska stärkas så att val kan genomföras tillförlitligt och att medborgarnas möjligheter till inflytande ska breddas, bland annat genom folkinitiativ. Utifrån det ligger ett arbete för högre valdeltagande i planens riktning, men stödet är svagt och slutsatsen osäker.
- foundation of popular sovereigntydecisive»Att all offentlig makt i Sverige skall utgå från folket« (party programme ↗)“That all public power in Sweden shall derive from the people”
- reliable elections»Det svenska valsystemet bör stärkas för att garantera att allmänna val kan genomföras på ett tillförlitligt sätt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Swedish electoral system should be strengthened to guarantee that general elections can be conducted reliably.”
- expanded citizen influence»Sverigedemokraterna vill utöka användandet av folkinitiativ.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats wish to expand the use of citizens' initiatives.”
- results requirements for public initiatives»Begära tydliga resultat för varje offentlig satsning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Demand clear results for every public initiative”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:KU27)
- Committee report full text (HD01KU27)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:1094 — Sänkt rösträttsålder till 16 år av Martina Johansson (C)
- Motion 2025/26:1177 — Valkretsnamn av Ulrika Heie och Mikael Larsson (båda C)
- Motion 2025/26:139 — Harmonisering av småpartispärren till kommunfullmäktige av Nima Gholam Ali Pour (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1592 — Försöksverksamhet med rösträtt från 16 års ålder i kommunala val av Jonathan Svensson (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1619 — Rösträtt för 16-åringar av Jan Riise m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2025/26:1643 — Skaraborgs valkrets av Charlotte Nordström (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1679 — Inför skilda valdagar i Sverige av Mikael Damsgaard (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1690 — Rösta utan kö av Margareta Cederfelt (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1724 — Svenskt medborgarskap för att få rösta i kommun- och regionval av Crister Carlsson m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1764 — Rösträttens koppling till medborgarskap av Jan Ericson (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2034 — Digitalt valdeltagande av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2063 — Rösträtt i kommunval från 16 år av Kerstin Lundgren (C)
- Motion 2025/26:2162 — Skaraborgs valkrets av Sten Bergheden (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2331 — Försöksverksamhet för sänkt rösträttsålder till 16 år av Arber Gashi (S)
- Motion 2025/26:2540 — Fyllnadsval för att förhindra tomma stolar i kommun- och regionfullmäktige av Mattias Eriksson Falk och Roger Hedlund (båda SD)
- Motion 2025/26:2589 — Ändrad spärrnivå vid val till kommunfullmäktige av Mattias Eriksson Falk och Roger Hedlund (båda SD)
- Motion 2025/26:2826 — Lättläst demokratisatsning av Ulrika Heie (C)
- Motion 2025/26:3077 — Den svenska diasporan av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:308 — En samlad ungdomspolitik av Vasiliki Tsouplaki m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:3087 — Skilda valdagar av Markus Wiechel (SD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament