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Norway
General Right to
Vote
Constitution
(1995)
Article 50 states, "Those entitled to vote are Norwegian citizens,
men and women, who, at the latest in the year when the election is held,
have completed their 18th year
"
Exclusion Based
on Mental Disability
Constitution:
(1995)
Article 50 states, "Those entitled to vote are Norwegian citizens,
men and women, who, at the latest in the year when the election is held,
have completed their 18th year
Rules may be laid down by law concerning
the right to vote of persons, otherwise entitled to vote, who on Election
Day are manifestly suffering from a seriously weakened mental state or
a reduced level of consciousness."
Electoral Law:
(Summary 1993: Norwegian Electoral System)
Under section 4, "Voting," it states: "
The
same applies for voters who are deemed to lack the necessary soundness
of mind. This may for example be due to insanity, mental disability, severely
advanced senility or the influence of alcohol or drugs. In these cases
the name shall not be crossed off the register of electors, nor shall
the vote be placed in the ballot box. Instead the vote shall be placed
in a separate cover envelope on which are written the voter's name, address
and date of birth. In the case of a vote cast by a person deemed by the
polling committee to lack the necessary soundness of mind, a justification
of this shall also be written on the cover envelope."
Voter Assistance
by Other Citizens
Electoral Law:
(Summary 1993: Norwegian Electoral System)
Section 4 continues, "The act also contains a special rule
for voters who by reason of physical disability need help when casting
their vote. These voters may be given 'necessary help' by a person over
the age of 14 who is present on the polling premises. The helper may also
accompany the voter into the booth and place the vote in the ballot box
if necessary."
Off-Site Voting
Alternatives
Electoral Law:
(Summary 1993: Norwegian Electoral System)
Section 4 concludes, "Voters who are not able to get into
the polling premises may cast their votes immediately outside the polling
station, e.g. in a car. The way this is done is that two members of the
polling committee or election officials take the election material out
to the voter. As far as possible the voter shall place the ballot paper
in the envelope without being observed. The two polling committee members/election
officials shall together take the vote in, ensure that the name is crossed
off on the register of electors and place the vote in the ballot box."
Chapter VI discusses voting in advance. It states: "The condition
for being able to vote in advance is that one will be prevented from going
to the polling station in person
The Representation of People Act
allows for advance voting to take place in institutions. It is also the
case that people who are ill and disabled but who are not in institutions
may in accordance with prescribed rules be allowed to vote where they
actually live."
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