Voting The electorate vote for parties but can now also cast personalised votes by marking the name of a particular candidate on the voting slip. Only one name can be marked in this way. Each voter has a free choice between indicating preference for an individual candidate and accepting the order in which names are listed by the party. Restrictions have now been imposed on the earlier right to freely add and delete names on voting slips. Voters can choose between voting at the local polling station on Election Day and postal voting from a post office.
Persons living abroad can vote at a Swedish embassy or consulate, or on board a Swedish ship.
The polling stations are open between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. Post offices accept voting slips for the last 18 days up to and including Election Day. At election time the Swedish Post Office opens a vast number of temporary offices at hospitals, old people s homes, prisons and other institutions, for the benefit of those who are unable to get to their polling stations on Election Day. The main rule is for each individual to cast his vote personally, but voting by proxy is allowed in certain cases. Sick or disabled persons may vote through the agency of a relative or carer.