velger

Velger is a term in Norwegian and some other Scandinavian languages that denotes a person who votes in elections, i.e., a voter. It can also be the present tense form of the verb velge, meaning to choose or to elect, as in han velger en representant.

In political contexts, velgere participate by casting ballots to influence the selection of political representatives or the outcome of referendums. Eligibility for velger status varies by country and is typically based on citizenship, age, and residency. Common requirements include being at least 18 years old, possessing citizenship, and being registered to vote. Some jurisdictions have additional restrictions or allowances for provisional registration, voter ID, or residency periods.

Voting is usually conducted through secret ballots to protect the independence of the voter. The voting method can differ: in many systems, voters choose among candidates or parties on a ballot, and some systems use ranked-choice or proportional representation. The act of voting is accompanied by civic education, voter registration campaigns, and efforts to provide accessible participation for people with disabilities or language barriers.

Compared with other political actors, velgere do not set policy by themselves; their aggregate choices determine election outcomes and the composition of governing bodies. Turnout, the rate at which eligible velgere actually vote, is a common measure of political engagement and the legitimacy of elected bodies.