Voting starts today – polling stations for the Helsinki Youth Council elections at Oodi and over a hundred schools across the city
A record number of candidates from all over Helsinki are running for the new Helsinki Youth Council. All young people born between 2006 and 2010 living in Helsinki can vote. Voting is open until 24 November, and the results will be published on 7 December.
Young people from all over the city have stood for election, making the elections particularly interesting. There is an unprecedented number of candidates: 92 young people in total. Helsinki Youth Services
The Helsinki Youth Council is a youth lobbying body required by the Local Government Act, acting as the voice of young people in the decision-making processes of the City of Helsinki. Through the Youth Council, young people in Helsinki can directly influence the activities of the city.
“The Youth Council is the link between municipal decision-makers and young people. A Youth Council representative is able to promote issues important to their school or district directly to the people making decisions in the city organisation. The Youth Council can also tangibly influence what happens in the city: examples of the Youth Council’s achievements in previous terms include USB charging points in buses, the metro and trams, graffiti walls and the Summer Job Voucher,” says Katri Kairimo, regional manager in charge of the City of Helsinki Youth Services.
There is an unprecedented number of candidates this year, 92 young people in total. The candidates include both newcomers and young people seeking a second term. Young people from all over the city have stood for election, making the elections particularly interesting.
Candidates present themselves in election compass designed by young people
The questions in the Helsinki Youth Council election compass have been prepared by young people. The same questions are also used in Espoo and Vantaa, where youth council elections are held at the same time.
“Mental health issues are particularly prominent in the responses given by the young people to the election compass questions this year. Young people are concerned about the accessibility of mental health services. Many also want to make Helsinki a better place for young people,” Kairimo says.
Voting will take place in electronic format from 6 to 24 November
Most young people will vote in their own school during the school day. The 106 polling stations include most lower secondary, upper secondary and vocational schools in the city. Voting is also possible at Oodi daily from 17:00 to 20:00. As Oodi is open on Saturdays and Sundays, all young people can vote at a time that best suits them.
The results of the election will be announced at the Youth Gala on 7 December in Tiivistämö, and the new Youth Council will start its term on 1 January 2024.