Passive innmeldte: Om hjemmesitterne ved sametingsvalg

Abstract

The 2017 Sámi parliamentary elections saw an increase in turnout (measured in percent) for the first time since 2005. Although voter registration had increased, the number of votes increased even more. However, considering that one must register in the electoral roll to vote, 30 percent non-voters is a significant proportion. In this chapter, we use the voter survey to describe the non-voters. Regarding institutional factors, the analyses confirm the findings in Owren’s chapter: Although most of the electorate did not find it difficult to vote in the Sámi parliamentary elections, the exception was non-voters living in municipalities where only advance voting is allowed. Regarding individual factors, political resources matter. People with less education were especially overrepresented among the non-voters. Motivation is also important, and the non-voters were naturally less interested in politics in general and Sámi politics in particular. Those who joined the electoral roll to influence Sámi politics were seldom non-voters. On the other hand, those who signed up to express their Sámi identity were almost equally represented among the voters and non-voters. Although an instrumental motive for registration leads to high turnout, an expressive motive does not hinder electoral participation. We also find that non-voters to a lesser extent felt that their voice mattered or that there were political alternatives that represented their views. On the other hand, voters and non-voters did not differ substantially regarding perceived political differences between the parties and lists.