In 2022, a total of 7 local referendums were held in various Norwegian municipalities. This information provides insights into the trends and interests of local communities, showcasing their engagement in democratic decision-making processes. The data also allows for a comparison with previous years.
Examining the numbers of local referendums over the past four years, the total count was 7 in 2019, 1 in 2020, 8 in 2021, and 7 in 2022. These figures highlight the varying levels of public participation in different years.
Categorizing the referendums based on their subject matter, none of the referendums held in the specified period pertained to alcohol-related issues. However, there were 4 referendums in 2019, 1 in 2020, 4 in 2021, and 1 in 2022 concerning variants of the Norwegian language. These referendums indicate the significance of language matters within local communities.
Another category of local referendums focused on territorial issues, including discussions on boundaries or potential changes in administrative divisions. In 2019, there was 1 such referendum, while 2020 recorded none. However, the numbers increased to 3 in 2021 and reached the highest count of 6 in 2022. This suggests a growing interest in territorial matters among Norwegian municipalities.
No local referendums were conducted in the specified years on the subjects of district and identity. However, in the category of environmental issues, 2 referendums took place in 2019, none in 2020, and none in the subsequent years. It is worth noting that one referendum in 2021 was held on an “Other subjects” category, but there were no such referendums in 2019, 2020, or 2022.
These statistics shed light on the frequency and topics of local referendums in Norwegian municipalities over the past four years. They showcase the diversity of issues that communities engage with, highlighting the importance of democratic decision-making at the local level.
https://www.ssb.no/en/valg/folkeavstemninger/statistikk/lokale-folkeavstemninger