The Sámi Parliamentary Election Survey 2025 is a research project that explores the functioning of democratic elections by and for the Sámi people in Norway. The project focuses on the conditions and challenges of Sámi electoral democracy, with particular attention to the 2025 Sámi parliamentary election. It builds on previous surveys conducted in 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021.
The project is carried out by the Institute for Social Research (ISF) in collaboration with UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) at OsloMet, and the University of Bergen.
The data foundation for the project is a survey conducted by Statistics Norway (SSB) among a representative sample of voters registered in the Sámi Parliament’s electoral roll. This survey also includes a panel component, which will be used to analyze voter transitions and changes over time.
Main Themes
The project addresses five core themes:
- The 2025 election: election results, voter migration, and changes in the party system
- Political attitudes: especially regarding Sámi self-determination and the role of the Sámi Parliament
- Social class and electoral participation: links between education, income, and voting behavior
- Electoral roll criteria and Sámi identity: voters’ views on current registration rules
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission: voters' views on the commission's work.
Publication and Dissemination
The main findings will be published in a Norwegian-language open-access anthology, scheduled for release well before the 2029 Sámi parliamentary election. The project also aims for international publication and conference participation, as well as broad dissemination to Sámi and Norwegian audiences, media, and the Sámi Parliament. Selected results will be published early in collaboration with Statistics Norway (SSB). In addition, a report on trust in Sami democracy is being submitted to the Sami Parliament.
