äänestyslupakopion
An äänestyslupakopio, translated as a "voting permit copy" or "ballot permit copy" in English, is a document used in Finland to facilitate early voting. It is a duplicate of the official voting permit that a voter receives by mail prior to an election. When a voter wishes to cast their ballot during the advance voting period at a polling station, they present their official voting permit. If they have lost or misplaced this original permit, they can request an äänestyslupakopio from the polling station. This copy serves as proof of their eligibility to vote in that specific election. The äänestyslupakopio allows individuals to exercise their right to vote even if they no longer possess the initial document sent by the authorities. The process ensures that only eligible voters can cast a ballot, maintaining the integrity of the electoral system. The use of an äänestyslupakopio is a procedural measure to accommodate voters who may have lost their primary documentation before the advance voting period.