Voting Procedures – Instructions for Foreign Nationals Regarding the Local Government Elections in Iceland on 29 May 2010

The general election of municipal governments will take place on 29 May 2010.

Right to vote

Foreign nationals are granted the right to vote depending on length of residence in Iceland:

• Nordic nationals when they have had legal residence in Iceland for a period of three consecutive years from 29 May 2007.
• Other foreign nationals when they have had legal residence in Iceland for a period of five consecutive years from 29 May 2005.

Anyone who has the right to vote can also run for office as a candidate for municipal government.

Am I on the electoral roll?
Anyone who has the right to vote will automatically be on the electoral roll in the municipality where he/she has registered legal residence on 8 May 2010 and will only be able to vote there. If you are not sure whether you are listed on the electoral roll, you can get information about this from the National Registry. The electoral roll will also be accessible for a period of at least 15 days prior to election day on the following websites: www.kosning.is and www.thjodskra.is. The roll is also available at municipal government offices no later than ten days prior to the date of the election.

I have recently moved or I intend to move. Will I be able to vote in my new municipality?
Yes, if notification of change of address has been submitted to the National Registry prior to 8 May 2010.

Where do I vote?

At the polling station on election day

• Most voters will cast their votes at the polling station on election day, 29 May 2010.
• Municipal governments announce where the polling stations are and when they are open.
• Polling stations are commonly located in the primary schools in the municipalities.

Pre-election voting before the election day

• Pre-election voting will take place at the district commissioners' offices on 6 April 2010.
• Pre-election votes can also be cast at Icelandic embassies and consulates overseas.
• For further information regarding pre-election voting in institutions and in private homes, see the website: www.kosning.is.

How are votes cast?

1. Identify yourself and present some form of identification with a photo.
2. If you are eligible to vote, you will receive a ballot paper, which you take with you into the voting booth.
   
3. Cast your vote by putting a cross (X) in the box in front of the letter representing the list of candidates that you wish to vote for.
   You are permitted to alter the list for which you vote, e.g. change the order of the candidates or reject a candidate by crossing out his/her name.
   You are not permitted to make changes to lists of candidates other than the list for which you vote or to make any other markings anywhere on the ballot paper, as this may invalidate your vote.
4. If you think you need assistance casting your vote, you can nominate one of the polling station officials to render assistance.
5. If for any reason your ballot paper has been damaged, show the ballot paper to the official in charge of the polling station and ask for a new one.
6. When you have cast your vote, fold the ballot paper, place it in the ballot box and leave the polling station.

Those casting pre-election votes will receive instructions from district commissioners and their staff about how such voting takes place.

Other issues regarding municipal elections
In all larger municipalities the names of the candidates are printed on the ballot paper. In some smaller municipalities voters cast their votes by writing the names of their first preference and second preference candidates on the ballot paper. You may bring a list with their names with you into the voting booth to refresh your memory.

Voting ends on Saturday night, 29 May, and polling stations close at the latest at 22:00. Following this, the ballots will be counted and the results will then be announced in the media.Blank and invalid ballots are also counted and their numbers announced.