{"id":6496,"date":"2024-05-14T02:30:59","date_gmt":"2024-05-14T06:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lnak.net\/2024-european-parliament-elections-on-june-8\/"},"modified":"2024-06-04T02:36:19","modified_gmt":"2024-06-04T06:36:19","slug":"2024-european-parliament-elections-on-june-8","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lnak.net\/en\/2024-european-parliament-elections-on-june-8\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 European Parliament Elections on June 8"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n

We, the citizens of Latvia, have a say in which parties and MEPs will represent Latvia in the European Parliament. Let’s elect candidates who will work for a free, democratic, Latvian Latvia. Let’s vote!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European Parliament elections take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024. – In Canada, Latvian citizens can vote in person in Toronto or Ottawa un June 8 between 8:00 and 20:00 EDT.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also an option to vote by mail. To do this, you must register online between May 4 and May 31. Your mail-in vote needs to reach R\u012bga bay June 8. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Elections and the voting process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Can I vote in person with a valid eID card?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you can present either a valid Latvian passport or a valid eID card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How old do I need to be to vote?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You must be 18 years of age or older on Election Day in order to vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where can I vote in person on June 8? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Canada, you can vote in person in Ottawa or Toronto. In the USA, there will be four districts – Chicago, New York, Washington DC and Los Angeles. By law, Latvian citizens can vote at any polling station anywhere in the world. In total, there will be 945 polling stations in Latvia and 50 abroad. Here is the full list of voting stations<\/a>.To vote, you need a valid Latvian passport OR a valid eID card.Voting hours are from 8:00 to 20:00 local time.Address in Ottawa<\/strong>: Embassy of Latvia in Canada, 350 Sparks St. #1200, Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8Address in Toronto<\/strong>: Latvian Centre Toronto, 4 Credit Union Dr, North York, ON M4A 2N8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where can I find the list of parties and candidates?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here is the official list of parties and candidates<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many Latvian MEPs will be elected to the European Parliament?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Latvia will have 9 MEPs in the European Parliament. There are 720 seats in total. Although the number of Latvian MEPs is small, Latvian MEPs can be counted on to work in EP committees to draft laws that have a major impact on Latvia’s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many parties and candidates can I vote for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can only vote for ONE party. You must select the ballot for the party you want to support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each party’s ballot contains its list of candidates in numerical order (#1, #2, #3, etc.). You do not have to choose nine candidates to vote for. By adding a “+” sign or by crossing out names on the ballot you have selected, you can increase or decrease a candidate’s chance of being elected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I fill in my ballot?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Each party’s ballot paper lists its candidates in numerical order (#1, #2, #3, etc.) If you particularly like a candidate from that party, you can put a “+” next to that candidate’s name. If you don’t like a candidate, you can cross out their name. The plus signs and cross-off’s will determine which candidates take the seats won by their party. You do not have to choose nine candidates to vote for. You can increase or decrease the chances of election for none, some or all of the candidates in your chosen party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Which party should I vote for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

LNAK cannot tell you which party to vote for. Each voter should choose a party that reflects his or her own values and priorities. If, for instance, you would like to vote for a party that supports Ukraine, there are five such parties, that according to May polls could obtain at least 5% of the popular vote. Only parties with at least 5% of the popular vote have a chance to gain a seat. The parties that have taken a strong pro-Ukraine stand and that are most likely to gain more than 5% of the popular vote (according to May polls), are Nacion\u0101l\u0101 Apvien\u012bba (18%), Jaun\u0101 Vienot\u012bba (15%), Progres\u012bvie (11%), Apvienotais Saraksts (8%) and “Latvijas att\u012bst\u012bbai” (7%). By voting for any of these parties, you also reduce the chances of a pro-Russian party obtaining more than 5% of the popular vote. Therefore very important to vote if, for example, you don’t want a pro-Russian party from Latvia to gain a seat in the European Parliament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the right hand side of this page you will find resources that can help you further educate yourself about the parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I heard that if I can’t vote in person, it’s possible to apply to vote by mail. What is the process?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can apply to vote by mail between May 4 and May 31. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To vote by mail, you need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n