Local election campaign to promote civic engagement

Immigration Ministry says it election campaign is part of larger outreach to non-citizens

Sep 9, 2013

The ‘Alles Valg 2013’ (Everyone’s Election) local election campaign launched by the Immigration and Social Affairs Ministry last week to encourage immigrants to vote in the November 19 council and regional elections is part of a greater plan to get all residents to participate actively in democracy and the wider society.

“The campaign 'Everyone’s Election' is the first of its kind launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Children and Immigration, but the ministry works in many other ways to promote civic citizenship in Denmark,” Louise Svalø, the head of section at the Ministry of Integration and Social Affairs, told The Copenhagen Post.

During the previous local election in 2009, just 37 percent of non-citizens cast a ballot, compared with 68 percent of Danes. That's a gap that the ministry wants to close during the upcoming elections in November.

Unlike national elections, many non-citizens can vote in local and regional elections and the campaign will be funded via government grants through the public funding pool dedicated to assisting marginalised groups.

The ‘Alles Valg 2013’ election guide, which will be accessible at all councils in the nation, will be available in the following eight languages: