Kaksoisäänestäminen

Kaksoisäänestäminen, meaning double voting in Finnish, refers to a situation where a person is legally allowed or has the opportunity to cast more than one vote in an election. This can occur in various contexts and for different reasons. Historically, certain forms of double voting were permitted in some electoral systems based on property ownership or education, reflecting a tiered approach to suffrage. In contemporary democracies, direct forms of double voting are generally prohibited to uphold the principle of one person, one vote. However, indirect forms or specific circumstances might exist.

One common scenario where double voting is discussed involves overseas voters or expatriates. Some countries allow citizens living abroad to vote in their home country's elections, and in some cases, they might also be eligible to vote in the country where they reside, potentially leading to a form of double voting if not carefully managed by electoral laws. Another related concept is proxy voting, where one person casts a vote on behalf of another, which, while not strictly double voting by the same individual, can be seen as multiplying voting power.

The concept of "double voting" can also be used metaphorically. For example, in corporate governance, shareholders might have different classes of shares with varying voting rights, effectively giving some individuals more influence than others. In the context of elections, however, the principle of equality and fairness typically dictates that each eligible citizen should have an equal say, making deliberate and overt forms of double voting a contentious issue and often illegal. Electoral laws in most jurisdictions are designed to prevent any individual from casting more than one valid vote.