Why are the referenda results documented?

The main purpose is to give a comprehensive account of referenda, as well as to document one of the most important elements of Swedish democracy. More specifically, Statistics Sweden produces statistics on the number of people entitled to vote in referenda, the electoral participation in referenda and the results of referenda. The documentation must be long-lasting, for research and other uses in the future. The results are used to illustrate the democratic process, political life and the political engagement of the citizens. The main users of these statistics are the political parties, the mass media, social scientists and the politically-interested general public.

How are the statistics produced?

Statistics Sweden receives information on the number of people entitled to vote from the Election Authority. The Election Authority also provides information regarding the election results. All information received by Statistics Sweden from the Election Authority is definitive and the information that Statistics Sweden presents corresponds with the account given by the Election Authority. Persons who have died or moved abroad after the electoral roll was established can be included in the number of people entitled to vote. The true number of people entitled to vote, therefore, is usually a bit smaller than the number shown.

Who is registered on the electoral roll?

To be able to vote, a person must be registered on an electoral roll. Swedish referenda are carried out in accordance to The Act on National Referenda (1979:369). The Act states that voting rights in referenda are granted to those who are entitled to vote in elections to the Riksdag. The question that is to be asked to the people, as well as the timing of the referendum vote, are specified in a special Act. That special Act can grant voting rights to persons additional to those entitled to vote according to the Act on National Referenda.

Who was entitled to vote in the referendum in 2003?

The following persons were entitled to vote in the referendum on the introduction of the Euro in 2003:

Swedish citizens:

• who are 18 years old at the latest on the day of the election and who are registered as resident in Sweden
• who are resident abroad (and who are 18 years old at the latest on the day of the election), if less than 10 years have passed since they left Sweden. If more than 10 years have passed since the last time of residence in Sweden, citizens must apply to vote in writing at least 30 days prior to the election.

Foreign citizens:

• of any member state of the European Union and citizens of Iceland and Norway (who are 18 years old at the latest on the day of the election) and who are registered as resident in Sweden at least 30 days prior to the election
• of other states (who are 18 years old at the latest on the day of the election) who have been registered as resident in Sweden for a consecutive period of three years prior to the day of the election.