{"id":334130,"date":"2024-06-05T10:28:24","date_gmt":"2024-06-05T07:28:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helga.fi\/?p=334130"},"modified":"2024-06-05T10:28:24","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T07:28:24","slug":"blog-my-first-eu-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helga.fi\/en\/blog-my-first-eu-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"Blog: My first EU Elections"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many students, including myself, are about to use their vote for the first time. Our first time voting in the EU elections, which only come around every five years. Exciting!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I understand that Finns are most diligent in voting during presidential elections, while the EU elections typically see a lower voter turnout. It\u2019s strange, considering that Finland is part of the European Union, and decisions made there trickle down to us.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I have admittedly wondered why I should vote, thinking I don\u2019t know enough about EU affairs. I&#8217;m not even sure who the candidates are, so why not leave it to those who are more informed, right?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019m also unsure whether it&#8217;s due to marketing or just because this is my first time voting, but EU elections seem a bit distant to the average person. I hope and believe that efforts are being made to change this. After all, in the EU elections, we choose 15 members from Finland to represent us in the European Parliament, and they will have significant influence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyway, I\u2019ve come to the conclusion that as an adult Finnish citizen, I want to use my right to vote whenever possible! Not voting is like staying silent in a karaoke bar. Even if you think you could contribute on stage, you stay put and listen to others sing songs you don\u2019t care for. Finns are charmingly shy at first and reluctant to sing, but soon enough, they gather the courage and belt out \u201cUkkometso\u201d with gusto! So, it was worth going up there and doing it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The advance voting for the EU elections took place from May 29 to June 4, 2024, and the actual election day is Sunday, June 9, 2024. When the next opportunity arises, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the EU election candidates through this link: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tulospalvelu.vaalit.fi\/EPV-2024\/fi\/ehd_listat_kokomaa.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/tulospalvelu.vaalit.fi\/EPV-2024\/fi\/ehd_listat_kokomaa.html<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (it couldn\u2019t be easier). Election compasses are also helpful in providing direction and don\u2019t take much time &#8211; here\u2019s another link to Allianssi\u2019s election compass for young people: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nuorisoala.fi\/nuortenvaalikone\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/nuorisoala.fi\/nuortenvaalikone\/<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve spotted familiar names on the candidate list or identified a potential candidate to vote for, there&#8217;s no reason to give up now. Just head to the nearest polling station on the main election day, Sunday, June 9!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And if you still need convincing, those who vote will receive an EU-themed overall patch from us, Helga\u2019s board. Maybe that will motivate students to vote the most?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meiju H\u00e4m\u00e4l\u00e4inen<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helga board member<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many students, including myself, are about to use their vote for the first time. Our first time voting in the EU elections, which only come around every five years. Exciting! 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