äänestyspaikan

Äänestyspaikan, or polling place, is a designated location where eligible voters cast ballots in elections. In Finland, äänestyspaikat are established by municipalities for parliamentary, municipal, and presidential elections and are chosen to serve residents of the electoral district. They are typically located in public buildings such as schools, libraries, community centers, or municipal offices and are meant to be accessible to all voters, including persons with disabilities.

At a polling place, voters present themselves to election staff, verify their eligibility against the electoral register, and receive a ballot. Voters then vote in private voting booths to ensure ballot secrecy and deposit their completed ballot into a sealed ballot box or the appropriate counting system. Election staff supervise to protect secrecy, prevent coercion, and ensure proper handling of ballots throughout the process. The site is usually clearly signed and staffed with personnel who can answer questions about the voting procedure.

Polling places operate during specified hours on election day and may also serve as venues for advance or early voting in some jurisdictions. After polls close, ballots are collected, securely counted, and results reported through the official channels. The äänestyspaikka thus functions as the physical setting that enables confidential and orderly casting of votes in democratic elections.