Äänimäärän

Äänimäärän is a Finnish term that refers to the total number of votes received by a candidate, party, or option in an election or referendum. It is typically reported as an absolute count and can also be expressed as a percentage of the valid votes or of all votes cast. The concept distinguishes between the raw vote total and the vote share, which is the proportion of votes gained relative to the electorate or to the set of valid ballots.

In electoral practice, äänimäärä is the primary input for determining outcomes. Depending on the electoral system, the highest äänimäärä may decide seats for individual candidates in plurality or majority systems, or the distribution of seats among parties in proportional representation. Results are usually broken down by electoral district, party list, or candidate, and are often accompanied by corresponding percentages to illustrate relative support. Reporting commonly includes information on valid votes, spoiled ballots, and overall turnout to provide context for the äänimäärä figures.

The interpretation of äänimäärä depends on the contest and rules governing a vote. A party or candidate with a large äänimäärä in a district may win multiple seats, while in other systems the same total could yield different outcomes due to allocation methods. Analysts and the public use äänimäärä alongside turnout and vote share to assess political support, trends, and the legitimacy of election results.

Etymology: ääni means vote or voice, and määrä means amount or quantity. See also äänestysprosentti and vaalit for related concepts.