15th Saeima Elections Approach: Over 115,000 People Have Already Cast Votes

Ahead of Saturday's 15th Saeima elections, at least 115,593 people — 7.42% of Latvia's 1,557,615 eligible voters — have already cast their ballots for safekeeping, according to figures compiled by the Central Election Commission (CVK).

Regional turnout

In absolute numbers, Riga leads with at least 47,843 voters, or 7.98% of the capital's eligible electorate. That figure includes 4,907 people living abroad who registered for postal voting. The CVK explains that for postal voting, a person is counted as having voted once ballot materials have been sent to them and they have not yet voted or deposited a ballot in person at a polling station.

By percentage, Vidzeme region shows the strongest turnout so far, with 8.26% — 33,134 voters — having cast ballots. Zemgale follows at 6.53% (13,019 people), Kurzeme at 6.64% (11,568 people), while Latgale shows the lowest regional turnout at 5.46%, or 10,029 voters.

Municipal breakdown

As of Thursday, the most active voters were in Ādaži municipality, where 12.19% of registered eligible voters had cast ballots. The lowest turnout was recorded in Augšdaugava municipality, at just 4%. The CVK notes that data from some polling stations is still being compiled.

How the voting works

Throughout this week's working days, voters can deposit their ballots for safekeeping at any of Latvia's 933 polling stations. This method of voting is similar in concept to the previously available early voting option, but with procedural differences that allow voters to change their mind and replace their deposited ballot before election day. The 15th Saeima elections will take place on Saturday.