If you want to stand as a candidate in an election, there are three different options:

1. You can stand as a candidate for a party that registers all candidates on their list.
2. You can stand as a candidate for a party that has a list of names but is open to more nominations. The party may have your name printed on the ballot paper.
3. You can stand as a candidate for a party with a list that is open to nominations, without the consent of the party.

Stand as a candidate for a party that registers you on its list

It is common for a party itself to declare which candidates should be on its list. Candidates give their consent to the party nomination by signing a candidate declaration.

The candidate’s declaration form is obtained from the party’s respective commissioner or via val.se. The candidate declaration must be submitted by the party before the ballot paper is printed.

Only parties with registered party names can submit their candidates for an election, thereby safeguarding their list from the possibility of voters nominating other candidates.

Standing as a candidate for a party that does not register its list

A party may keep its list of candidates open, but nevertheless print the names of its candidates on the ballot paper.

If you are on such a ballot paper, you are not required to give consent before the ballot paper is printed, but you must give consent at least 2 days before the election date in order to be elected. As soon as you have consented, voters can also see your candidature on the website val.se.

You can also stand as a candidate for a party without the consent of the party. A prerequisite is that the party has not locked its list by registering all its candidates.

If you wish to stand as a candidate in this category, apply by giving your consent at least 2 days before the election. Your name is not printed on a ballot paper, but will be published on the website val.se as soon as your consent has been received.

The consent forms are available for download before each election:

• in the case of elections to the Swedish parliament (Riksdag), municipal and regional councils, the consent form must be sent to the county administrative board;
• in the case of elections to the European Parliament, the form should be sent to the Election Authority.

Are you eligible for election?

In order to be eligible to stand as a candidate, you must:

• have the right to vote in the election in question
• have given prior consent.

A foreign EU citizen who is standing for a party in the Swedish European Parliament elections must be registered here and must submit a declaration that he or she is not standing as a candidate in another EU country. See below for details.

EU citizens wishing to stand as a candidate

EU citizens living in Sweden can stand as candidates for municipal and regional council elections. You can also stand as a candidate in the Swedish elections to the European Parliament.

Standing for election to municipal and regional councils

You can stand as a candidate if you have the right to vote in the current elections.

More on the right to vote and voting cards

To be eligible to stand as a candidate, you must agree to stand as a candidate. How you give your consent depends on whether or not you are standing as a candidate for a party that registers its list.