Valg

Valg is a noun used in Norwegian and Danish to denote both the act of choosing and the process of electing. In everyday language it can refer to selecting one option among several, while in political contexts it refers to formal electoral processes that determine public representation or policy direction.

In political use, et valg can describe elections at various levels, such as national, regional, or local elections. The term appears in phrases that distinguish different election types, for example elections held on a designated election day, or campaigns surrounding an election (valgkamp). In addition to elections, valg can also signify a broader act of choosing between alternatives in non-political contexts.

Linguistically, valg is related to the verb for choosing in the same language family (to velge in Norwegian or at vælge in Danish). The word is part of a larger family of terms connected to selection and voting, and it commonly appears in compound forms referring to particular election formats or processes.

Etymology generally traces valg to a common Germanic root associated with choosing or selecting, a semantic area that covers both everyday decisions and formal electoral acts. The exact historical development varies between Norwegian and Danish, but the core idea—selection or election—remains central in both languages.

See also: Elections, voting, referendum, suffrage, political participation.