Update #165
Estonia's parliamentary elections are coming up fast, here's how to cast your vote
About 1/5 of Estonians live outside of Estonia, holding the blue-black-and-white up high, with pride. Make your voice heard, by exercising your right to vote!
On March 5, parliamentary elections will be held in Estonia. The right to vote abroad applies to Estonian citizens living abroad permanently and to those abroad temporarily and included in the voter registry.
How to cast your vote:
Here's the easy way: if you have your Estonian citizenship, are a listed voter in an electoral district in Estonia and have your ID card, card reader working and PIN codes handy, you're good to go!* You can vote online from 9am EET on 27 February until 8pm EET on 4 March 2023 (yep, around the clock). You can vote as many times as you like, change your mind if you wish and cast a different vote, but there's a catch: your last vote overrides your prior vote(s).
If you're missing a check mark for one or more of those requirements, don't despair. Read on so that you make your voice heard.
Don't have your Estonian citizenship yet? It's probably be too late for these elections, but don't let more time go by - reach out to the Estonian Embassy in your country and get on it! Be sure to get your ID card at the same time.
Don't know your designated electoral district? Write to abi@rahvastikuregister.ee to find out. Figure this part out by February 3. But start now because you can only vote if you're on the list of voters and you can only be on that list if your electoral district data is on record. If you weren't born in Estonia, the district is that of your parents, grandparents, etc. and you may need to send in a form to get all of this sorted. In other words, it can be complicated so don't delay. Then dig out your ID card reader and PIN codes, ready to vote OR jump to the next section.
Prefer or need to vote in person? Perhaps you don't have an ID card, a card reader or PIN codes - no problem. You can vote in person at the Estonian Embassy in your country during two days over 18-22 February, click here to find out which days.
Still no go, or just prefer the vote-by-mail option? Send in your request to vote by mail to the Estonian Embassy in your country, by February 3. The application form for this is available on the website of, you guessed it, the Estonian Embassy in your country.
Who to vote for?
Of course that's up to you. Each of the political parties will be gearing up their campaigns over the next while, providing context for finding which party and which candidates most align with your views and what you hope to see in Estonia's future.
Follow KESKUS on social (handles below), we'll endeavour to forward info re online debates targeted to the diaspora and other information as March 5 inches closer!
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* The fine print: to vote you also need to be at least 21 years of age, not incarcerated and not deemed incapacitated to vote.