Filtervalg

Filtervalg is a term used in Norwegian to describe a process that narrows the set of options in a voting or decision-making context by applying filters or criteria. The word combines filter and valg (choice or election). In electoral discussions, filtervalg refers to mechanisms that reduce the number of candidates or options presented to voters before final aggregation. This narrowing can occur through primaries, party lists, or ballot-design features that present only candidates meeting certain criteria, as well as through digital interfaces that show a subset of candidates based on geography, party affiliation, policy focus, or other attributes.

In practice, filtervalg can be applied upstream (before the vote, such as primaries or committee preselection) or downstream (during ballot display or online voting, where voters apply filters to see a more manageable set of options). In political science, filtervalg is often contrasted with inclusive systems that present all options to every voter and rely on ranking or proportional rules to determine outcomes. Proponents argue that filtering can reduce cognitive load and speed up decision-making, while critics warn that filters may introduce bias, reduce ballot variety, or obscure minority options.

Beyond elections, the concept also appears in digital platforms and survey design, where filters help users narrow options in candidate directories, polls, or preference-collection interfaces. See also: primary election, preferential voting, ranked-choice voting, proportional representation, ballot design, filtering interfaces.