I voted for the first time in Finland

I participated in the Finnish local elections today. I went and voted for a candidate in both the municipal and county elections.

Would I write about voting in the elections every time I do it?
Maybe, if there is something to say. But this is my first elections here in Finland, so of course, I will.

This year, the municipal and county elections are held at the same time on April 13th. Today, is not April 13th. Today is the 7th of April. From 2nd to 8th of April, we have advanced voting. And there is no controversy about it!

Anyway.

I had gone to the library on Sunday as well, but the lines had been too long. I had hoped that today the line will be shorter, but it was not be so.

I went back and stood in line.

While I walked to stand in line, I saw a person on a wheel chair waiting for their turn to vote. When I was about to go vote, I saw that same person moving toward the lift area after having submitted their vote.

Voting is important. It's our right. It must not be squandered. It must not be taken lightly. So often, back home, I would hear people say why vote, one vote does not matter, etc.

It matters. Its your voice. Its your right. It fucking matters.

here's how it went

I voted at the Iso Omena library. They added some cardboards to the glass walls and put three voting booths. After that, they put three or four tables where volunteers or election workers collected our votes.

First, I showed my ID to a volunteer/worker. They asked me if I wanted to both for county or municipality or both. I said both. They handed me one blue and one purple paper. Then they showed me to the booth.

On the insides of the booth were pasted the names of all the candidates standing in the election. Most people would know in advance who they were going to vote for. As did I. I checked the name and the number on both the sheets just to be sure, and then put the relevant numbers on both the sheets. I folded the sheet and left the boot.

Next I sat in front of one of the desks. I had seen in advance, what would happen. The election worker put a stamp on the paper I had, and asked me to put it in an envelope. While I struggled to put this purple piece of paper in the brown envelope, they printed an acknowledgement paper. There was a thing on the table, that activated the glue on the envelope. I sealed it shut. Then I signed the acknowledgment slip. The election worker then took both and put it in a larger yellow envelope and sealed that shut. Then we did the same with the white paper.

With that, I was done.

While leaving, I thought why don't they use EVMs. They have to be faster. I mean somebody would open up these envelops and count all these votes. Sure there is lesser population here in Finland, so maybe they can.

They can also avoid all the controversy that comes with using EVMs. Every few elections, somebody claims that the EVMs have been hacked. The election was stolen. And so forth. With this, there is a proof attached to every vote. That's the benefit. How could that be extended with EVMs, I am not sure.