Afstemningssted

Afstemningssted, or polling place, is the physical location where eligible voters cast their ballots in elections or referendums. For each election, the election authority designates one or more afstemningssteder within a municipality or voting district. The choice of location is meant to provide convenient access to voters and to ensure orderly, secret ballots.

Common afstemningssteder include town halls, libraries, schools, and other public buildings, chosen for safety, space, and accessibility. Each afstemningssted is staffed by election officials who check eligibility, issue ballots, and help voters understand the process. Voting takes place in private booths to guarantee secrecy; ballots are deposited in sealed ballot boxes and counted according to the rules of the election.

Accessibility is a priority: locations should be reachable by public transport, have facilities for people with disabilities, and provide assistance as needed while maintaining ballot secrecy and impartiality. Security measures include staff oversight, register checks, chain of custody for ballots, and procedures to prevent multiple voting or ballot tampering.

In addition to traditional afstemningssteder, many jurisdictions offer alternative voting options such as early voting, postal voting, or proxy voting. The term afstemningssted is the standard Danish expression for a polling place and is used in official electoral materials, while in English-language contexts the term polling place or polling station is used.