County and municipal elections are students’ elections – join us!
The 2025 county and municipal elections are just around the corner! The student union JAMKO encourages all students to make a difference, because the issues decided in the elections shape what it is like to live and study in Jyväskylä!
Advance voting in the county and municipal elections in Finland is 2.4. – 8.4. and the actual voting day is Sunday 13.4.2025. In these elections, decision-makers are elected who will influence everyday services for the next four years.
- Regional councillors are elected in the county elections, who are responsible for the wellbeing services counties’ health and social services and rescue services.
- In municipal elections, municipal councillors are elected, who decide on the finances and operations of the municipality.
Why Students Should Vote!
Voting in the county and municipal elections is an effective way to influence one’s everyday life and future. As a UAS student, you are part of the local community, and elections are used to decide issues that directly affect your life, such as public transport, student housing zoning and health services. Although higher education is not the direct responsibility of municipalities or regions, decisions on funding, facilities and cooperation with local businesses affect students.
Young people’s turnout is often lower, so students’ needs may be neglected if we do not participate in decision-making. For example, in the 2021 municipal elections, the voting percentage of 18–24-year-olds was only 47.6%, while that of middle-aged people was 70% or more. This means that decision-making is mostly carried out by older generations, whose needs may differ from those of young people and students. Jyväskylä is home to nearly 20,000 higher education students and developing the city to look like us starts with you!
JAMKO organises election buzz in the city and on campus!
JAMKO organises various election events where you can meet candidates, vote together, get a unique patch and learn about students’ election themes.
JAMKO’s election panel at Restaurant Twist on Rajakatu 27.3. at 18-20.
JAMKO organises an election panel where candidates answer questions related to student-oriented and JAMKO’s election priorities on important themes, such as housing, public transport and health services. The panel can also be followed remotely via a live stream. Do you want to influence the questions? Send your own questions in advance and make sure your concerns get a voice! Suggest your own question by 23.3. using this form.
Line up to vote at the Main Library 2.4. starting at 09:30.
Let’s vote together! JAMKO and JYY will organise a fun queuing event on the first day of advance voting at the City Library. Let’s spend time together, vote and make our voices heard! After voting, you can enjoy election coffee and get an overall patch as a sign of an important act and your activity!
Election Street Takeover on Kauppakatu 10.4. at 15-17.
JAMKO and JYY can be seen together on Kauppakatu. The purpose is to quiz the candidates in the municipal and regional elections present and to share students’ thoughts. JAMKO bakes pancakes and distributes overall patches from JAMKO’s and JYY’s shared tent near Kompassi. Come and enjoy the atmosphere, influence and feast – see you at Kompassi!
More information about the elections:
JAMKO’s election website contains basic information about the elections, such as who can vote and how to vote in two elections. In addition, we have compiled themes that are essential from the students’ point of view, which JAMKO intends to influence. If you have any questions, feel free to send us a message!
JAMKO’s regional and municipal election pages
Aamos Wilhelms, Board member, Education Policy, aamos.wilhelms@jamko.fi