valimispäeva

Valimispäev, or election day, is the day on which elections or referendums are held in a country. The term is used in Estonian to designate the day when citizens vote to elect representatives or decide public questions, as defined by law. On valimispäev, voters typically go to designated polling stations to cast their ballot in secret. In many systems, voters must present an identity document or voter card to verify eligibility.

In Estonia, valimispäev covers major elections such as Riigikogu elections, municipal council elections, and European Parliament elections, and may be accompanied by a pre-election period for remote voting. Estonian voters may participate in i-voting (electronic voting) during a designated period before the actual election day, allowing those who meet security requirements to vote from anywhere with internet access.

Voting procedures vary by jurisdiction but generally involve opening hours for polling stations, the use of ballots or electronic ballots, and a counting process after polls close. Initial results may be announced on the night of valimispäev, with final certified results following any recounts or verification steps carried out by electoral authorities.

Eligibility and voting rights are defined by national law and can differ for national, regional, and local elections, as well as for referendums. Valimispäev is a central component of democratic processes, providing citizens with the opportunity to influence government, policy, and public governance. The word valimispäev is formed from valimis (elections) and päev (day).