Swedish Election Authority given increased responsibility for election protection

The Swedish Election Authority will now have clear responsibility for supporting and coordinating efforts to protect elections.

This means we’ll be required to:

• determine which security measures are required within the election administration
• analyse risks that can have an impact on the election process
• monitor developments, both in Sweden and internationally – including the dissemination of disinformation, for example
• cooperate with other government agencies on addressing threats, risks and vulnerabilities
• create nationwide situational awareness ahead of elections
• manage an effective incident reporting system
  

The aim is to increase the level of protection against factors that can disrupt, influence or obstruct the election process.

Rapid incident reporting requirement

The Swedish Election Authority must maintain an effective incident reporting system. We must follow a clearly defined procedure for the management of incidents.

Sweden’s municipalities, country administrative boards and missions abroad that provide voting locations will now be required to report any incidents as soon as possible after detection. However, this must not disrupt ongoing vote reception or other obligations under the Swedish Elections Act.

Possible incidents include the following:

• deviation from the rules governing the election process
• attempts to obstruct voting, manipulate votes or influence an election by illegitimate means
• other events that may affect the election process.
  

The public must also be able to report incidents to the Swedish Election Authority. The aim is to reduce avoidable appeals relating to the election process and make it possible to address problems while the election is still underway.

Improved voting accessibility

Election authorities and Swedish missions abroad are responsible for ensuring that voting is accessible for all eligible voters.

Sweden’s municipalities must report on the following to the Swedish Election Authority at least 32 days before election day:

• where voting will take place
• details of accessibility at all voting locations
  

These details may include the availability of ramps and lifts, as well as the distance between parking facilities and the entrance.

The Swedish Election Authority will also develop guidance on accessibility, including both regulations and recommendations. As part of this work, we will gather input from the Swedish Agency for Participation (“Myndigheten för delaktighet”), the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (“Sveriges kommuner och regioner”), and other relevant organisations.

Information provided at voting locations must be adapted to the needs of people with a range of disabilities.

Mobile voting available to more voters

Voters who are not able to get to a voting location can get help from their municipality. Two polling staff members will come to where they are and pick up their votes.

More voters are now eligible for this assistance, including those who:

• are placed in a special residential home for young people
• are being detained in police custody
• have been admitted to a care facility and would have difficulty getting to a voting location

These voters can also get help with putting their ballot papers into ballot envelopes. Polling staff have a duty of secrecy.

If a voter receives assistance at a voting location, a polling staff member must be present

If a voter requests assistance from another person in preparing their vote, a member of the polling staff must also be present. The aims are to increase the level of voter protection, and to ensure that assistance is provided in accordance with the voter’s wishes and instructions.

Swedish citizens living abroad who are no longer on the electoral roll can vote early in Sweden

Swedish citizens who have emigrated are taken off the electoral roll after 10 years. They must then request to be added to the electoral roll for a new 10-year period.

From the 2026 elections, Swedish citizens living abroad who are no longer on the electoral roll can vote early at a voting location in Sweden. Their vote will be counted in the election. This vote will also count as a request to be added to the electoral roll for a new 10-year period.

A Swedish citizen living abroad who is no longer on the electoral roll will also be able to request to be added to the electoral roll by filling in a form no later than 30 days before election day. They will also be added to the electoral roll if they vote from abroad.

Election observers can apply to the Swedish Election Authority for accreditation

To observe proceedings at electoral events in Sweden, election observers from national and international organisations can be granted accreditation.

Accreditation is optional. There is no mandatory requirement for organisations to apply.

All vote reception and vote counting is open to non-accredited parties and the general public.

Digital voting cards and a modernised early voting procedure

Voters with a digital mailbox receive their voting cards for the 2026 elections digitally. Others receive their voting cards by post.

New technology and ways of working introduced for early voting:

• the digital voter list replaces the paper-based manual voter check-off process
• voting cards are no longer needed to ensure that votes are sent to the correct voting location
• the envelope in which the vote is placed is assigned a code which is scanned and linked to the voter’s details in the digital voter list
• early voting locations are equipped with a computer and scanner
  

This digitalisation does not affect the voting process itself, which will continue to be conducted using ballot papers.

The changes outlined above facilitate a new PostNord distribution process for early votes, and eliminate the need for voters to bring their voting card with them when voting early.

Pilot testing of a digital electoral roll at selected voting locations

The Swedish Election Authority has been commissioned by the Swedish Government to conduct trials of a digital electoral roll at selected voting locations during the 2026 elections.

This assignment involves analysing:

• technical and legal criteria
• the impact on the electoral process and election administration
• the potential for digital voter check-off on the electoral roll
  

These changes apply from the 2026 elections

These changes to the Swedish Elections Act will apply for the first time in connection with the elections to the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) and regional and municipal councils on 13 September 2026.

Propositionen Säkerhet och tillgänglighet vid val (the Government, text in Swedish)