afstemningen

Afstemningen is the Danish term for the act of voting, encompassing elections, referendums, and votes within legislative bodies. It denotes both the process of casting ballots and the overall decision-making outcome that results from those ballots. In common usage, afstemningen can refer to a single ballot as well as to the entire voting process.

In elections, citizens choose representatives or decide on policy questions within an electoral framework. Ballots are typically cast under rules designed to protect secrecy, uniformity, and fairness. The result is determined by applicable majorities or other legally defined thresholds, and turnout—the share of eligible voters who participate—affects the legitimacy and strength of the mandate.

Folkeafstemninger, or referendums, are votes aimed directly at the electorate on constitutional amendments or significant public policy questions. Depending on the legal framework, referendums may be binding or advisory, and they often require specific turnout or qualification thresholds to be valid.

Parliamentary votes, or afstemninger in legislative bodies such as the Folketinget, involve representatives voting on laws, budgets, or motions. These votes follow formal procedures, and outcomes are decided by the elected members according to parliamentary rules.

Counting and reporting of votes are governed by established procedures designed to ensure accuracy, transparency, and public confidence. Results are published by official election authorities, and the outcome can lead to legal changes, policy shifts, or the implementation of referendum mandates.

The concept of afstemningen is central to democratic governance in Danish-speaking contexts and is also used in organizational settings where members vote on proposals, leadership, or rule changes.