Sweden sees record early voting and increased political trust

Sweden has seen a record-breaking surge in early voting during the recent elections for the Riksdag, regional, and municipal councils. According to the Swedish Election Authority, approximately 3.7 million voters—about 55 percent of the electorate—cast their ballots early. This represents an 18.5 percent increase compared to the 2022 elections.

Data indicates that voters are also choosing to vote earlier in the election period. The single most popular day for early voting was Friday, September 11, with 359,499 votes cast.

An analysis by SKR shows that voter turnout for municipal and regional elections has increased, reaching 82.3 percent and 82.0 percent, respectively. Additionally, public trust in politicians has risen, with 60 percent of voters reporting high or moderate confidence, up from 54 percent in 2022. While healthcare and education remain the primary concerns for voters, the economy has emerged as the third most important issue, surpassing law and order.