KS asks the government to strengthen protection against unwanted election interference before the 2027 local elections. In a statement on 9 October 2026, it highlights around 70,000 first-time voters with Ukrainian refugee backgrounds. Voting rights must be assessed under the usual conditions.

What is KS asking the government to do?

KS, the Norwegian association for the municipal sector, calls for information measures against unwanted interference before the local elections. It highlights voters, candidates on electoral lists and people voting for the first time.

In its statement of 9 October⁠, KS refers to the government’s action plan before the 2025 parliamentary election. KS says the budget proposal does not clarify whether a similar plan will precede the local elections.

This is a call for preparation. The statement does not establish that a particular interference attempt has already targeted Ukrainian voters.

SamfunnPrep explains the differences between elections in its guide to the electoral system and foreign nationals’ voting rights.

Who are the around 70,000 voters?

The figure is KS’s estimate of first-time voters with backgrounds as refugees from Ukraine at the 2027 elections. It is not a completed list of people who will actually vote.

A first-time voter may be an adult who has voted in another country before. Here, it means being able to participate in a Norwegian election for the first time.

The estimate does not automatically give each person voting rights. Age, registered residence and the other conditions must be satisfied.

Can you vote without Norwegian citizenship?

Yes, foreign nationals may have voting rights in municipal and county council elections. Norwegian citizenship is necessary for parliamentary elections, but local election rules differ.

According to Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development guidance⁠, the main conditions for foreign voters are:

  • You turn 18 by the end of the election year.
  • If you are a non-Nordic citizen, you must have been registered as resident continuously for the last 3 years before election day.
  • If you are a citizen of Denmark, Finland, Iceland or Sweden, registered residence by 30 June in the election year applies.
  • You must be included in the electoral register, the list of eligible voters.

For a Ukrainian citizen, registered residence must therefore be checked. A residence permit alone does not necessarily show when registered residence began.

What should you follow in the coming months?

Follow information from your municipality and election authorities about preparations and voting rights. As of 18 October 2026, KS’s statement is an appeal to the government, not a new rule.

If unsure about your details, the municipality can explain who should check the electoral register. Information on Norwegian citizenship provides useful background, but citizenship is not a general requirement for local voting.