Kjörið

Kjörið is an Icelandic term that translates to "the election" or "the choice." It commonly refers to the general elections held in Iceland to elect members of the Althing, the country's parliament. These elections are a cornerstone of Icelandic democracy, determining the composition of the legislative body and, consequently, the government.

The Icelandic electoral system is a form of proportional representation. The country is divided into constituencies, and parties gain seats in the Althing based on the number of votes they receive within each constituency and nationally. This system aims to ensure that the distribution of parliamentary seats reflects the overall support for each political party.

Voters in Iceland have the right to vote if they are at least 18 years old and are citizens of Iceland. The frequency of elections is not fixed; elections must be held at least every four years, but the government can call for early elections. The process involves campaigning by political parties, followed by a voting day where citizens cast their ballots. The results are then tallied, and the new parliament is formed. The term "kjörið" can also be used more broadly in Icelandic to refer to any significant selection or decision-making process.