Early voting opens in Bauska municipality's 23 polling stations ahead of Saeima election
From today through Friday, October 2, voters across Latvia — including at 23 polling stations in Bauska municipality — can deposit their ballots ahead of the 15th Saeima election, which takes place on Saturday, October 3.
Latvia's Central Election Commission (CVK) has confirmed that from today until Friday, October 2, voters may deposit their ballots for safekeeping at any of the country's 933 polling stations ahead of the 15th Saeima election. Unlike previous elections, when this option was limited to select stations, this year every polling station nationwide offers the service.
In Bauska municipality, all 23 polling stations are participating, ranging from larger venues such as Bauska State Gymnasium and the Bauska Culture Centre to smaller rural locations like the Kurmene community house and the Viesturi parish administration.
Opening hours before election day
Stations are open Monday from 17:00 to 20:00, Tuesday from 8:00 to 11:00, Wednesday from 17:00 to 20:00, Thursday from 8:00 to 11:00, and Friday — the final day for depositing ballots for safekeeping — from 12:00 to 15:00.
According to the CVK, the process is conducted in secret. Poll workers check the voter's identification, then issue a set of ballot papers along with two envelopes: a stamped ballot envelope and a registration envelope bearing the voter's name and list number. The voter marks their choice privately, seals both envelopes, and a poll worker deposits them into the ballot box in the voter's presence. Ballots remain sealed in the box until counting begins after polls close on October 3; envelopes are shuffled before opening to preserve voter anonymity.
Election day and next steps
On Saturday, October 3, all polling stations in Bauska municipality will be open from 8:00 to 20:00. Voters must present a valid passport or eID card to cast a ballot. Those unable to reach a polling station due to health reasons, and caregivers of ill relatives, may request voting at their location starting September 28. Voters abroad may cast ballots at overseas polling stations or by mail, provided they registered by the required deadline, sending their ballot from abroad only.
Bauska municipality belongs to the Zemgale electoral district, which will elect 13 deputies. In total, 14 candidate lists with 1,428 candidates are competing for 100 seats in parliament. Preliminary results will be published on the CVK website on election night, with final results confirmed by October 12. The 15th Saeima will hold its first sitting on November 3.
