Atkvæðisrétturinn

Atkvæðisrétturinn, or suffrage, refers to the legal right of Icelandic citizens to participate in elections. The right is established by the Icelandic constitution and electoral laws, and its exercise is conditioned by age and citizenship requirements. In practice, it defines who may vote in national and local elections and how voting is carried out.

Historically, Iceland’s franchise expanded from restricted, property- or gender-based rights toward broader inclusion. Under Danish rule, voting was limited by gender, status, and other criteria. Beginning in the early 20th century, reforms progressively widened participation. In 1915, Iceland granted women the right to vote in parliamentary elections, initially under certain age conditions. In 1920, suffrage for women was extended on equal terms with men. After Iceland became a republic in 1944, the electoral framework continued to move toward broader, more equal participation.

Today, suffrage in Iceland is universal for citizens aged 18 and over. Non-citizen residents do not have national voting rights, but Iceland maintains mechanisms for citizens living abroad to participate in elections. Elections are supervised by the National Election Commission and cover national parliamentary elections as well as municipal elections, reflecting the country’s commitment to inclusive democratic participation.