Uncovering Irregularities in Scandinavian Electoral Processes

Abstract Electoral processes—even in established democracies—remain vulnerable to irregularities that may undermine public confidence. This article analyzes electoral administration in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway by examining 430 formal complaints submitted during recent national and local elections. The analysis reveals a substantial number of irregularities, including recurring issues related to queues, misprinted ballots, and vote-counting discrepancies. It also identifies cross-national similarities and country-specific differences in both volume and types of complaints, along with variation between local and national elections—partly shaped by concurrent scheduling. Ballot paper design appears to influence complaint patterns. The findings offer new insights into how administrative procedures and institutional design shape the experience and perception of electoral integrity in the Scandinavian context.