Avstemmer

Avstemmer is a term used in Norwegian-language contexts to describe the act of voting against a proposal in a formal decision-making process. It is formed with the prefix av-, which can denote negation or reversal, together with stemme, meaning vote. In practice, avstemmer is most often encountered in written records such as parliamentary minutes, official reports, and news coverage, where precise descriptions of voting outcomes are required.

In usage, avstemmer refers to the action of opposing a proposal during a vote. It is typically the form found in formal language; in everyday speech, speakers more commonly say stemme mot or vote against a proposal. Avstemmer can appear as part of a sentence like, for example, “Han avstemmer mot forslaget,” though the alternative construction “stemmer mot forslaget” is often preferred in colloquial communication. The term may be encountered across Norwegian media and governmental documents when the focus is on the act of opposing rather than simply recording a decision.

Etymologically, avstemmer reflects a literal “vote against” interpretation, aligning with other voting-related terms in Norwegian. Related concepts include stemmegivning (the act of casting votes) and synoptics of vote outcomes (for, mot, og avviklinger) in reporting. The precise choice between avstemmer and stemme mot can depend on stylistic conventions and the formality of the source.

Overall, avstemmer functions as a formal verb form used to denote opposition in a vote, primarily within official or journalistic Norwegian text. It is a useful term for understanding how voting outcomes are described in formal contexts.