Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality is asking citizens directly for help with upcoming local elections. The municipality turned to social media and its website to recruit election volunteers after struggling to fill positions.
Election volunteers, known as 'valgtilforordnede' in Danish, handle practical tasks at polling stations. They verify voter lists, distribute ballots, and count votes after polls close.
Troels Seerup, the municipality's election coordinator, said this marks the first time they've publicly appealed for volunteers. "We've had problems covering the needed numbers before," he explained. "So we reached out to ordinary citizens asking if they'd help run the election."
All 15 volunteer positions filled within days of the appeal. Most volunteers were over 50, reflecting a national trend where younger citizens remain underrepresented in election work.
Denmark's political party membership has dropped dramatically over decades. Roger Buch, a local government researcher, noted party membership has fallen from about 600,000 members 75 years ago to just 110,000 today.
Parties traditionally supplied election volunteers from their membership. With fewer members, municipalities must find new recruitment methods.
Hanne Damgaard Markussen, a retired volunteer, sees election participation as civic duty. "We have a special obligation not just to vote, but to make sure voting can happen," she said. "It's important to protect Danish democracy."
Research across 28 municipalities shows most election volunteers are aged 55-74. Only 15% are under 34.
Marie Langmach, a senior analyst, called engaging younger citizens challenging. "We need people who can take over from older volunteers," she said. "Without enough volunteers, we can't maintain all polling stations nationwide."
Her organization suggests municipalities partner with educational institutions to recruit students. Exempting students from class attendance on election day could help.
Many young people don't know volunteering is possible, Langmach noted. The formal term 'valgtilforordnede' might not appeal to younger generations.
Volunteers receive symbolic payment of about 900 Danish kroner plus meals for the day.
The situation highlights how changing social patterns affect democratic processes. While Ringkøbing-Skjern solved its immediate staffing problem, the demographic imbalance suggests long-term challenges for election administration.