The Municipality of Frederiksberg, located near Copenhagen, Denmark, has set an ambitious target: achieving a 100% voter turnout in the municipal elections scheduled for November. To accomplish this, local politicians are proposing innovative measures, targeting primarily young voters under the age of 30.
Youth engagement through education and targeted campaigns
Frederiksberg’s second deputy mayor, Michael Brautsch (Konservative), is spearheading several initiatives, including organizing Democracy Days (Demokratidage) in youth education institutions, cinema advertising, SMS reminders, and personalized letters to young voters.
According to Brautsch, increasing voter turnout is not just about numbers; it significantly enhances civic culture and community well-being. He emphasized, “I’ll only be satisfied when we get close to 100%. Increasing voter turnout is beneficial for both our culture and our community.”
High ambitions despite already strong voter participation
Frederiksberg already boasts one of Denmark’s highest municipal voter participation rates, with a turnout of 73% during the 2021 elections—significantly higher than neighboring Copenhagen, which recorded only 60%.
Yet, local politicians believe there is still considerable room for improvement, especially among younger demographics, who traditionally have lower participation rates in elections.
