Vidzeme leads turnout in Latvia’s student mock election

Vidzeme had the highest turnout in Latvia’s 2026 student mock elections, with 67.13% of eligible students voting, LSM reported. Turnout was 63.61% in Latgale, 60.26% in Zemgale, 53.57% in Riga and 52.19% in Kurzeme.

The two-week vote, held from September 14 to 28, involved 215 educational institutions. Of 44,463 eligible students, 26,036 cast ballots, a turnout of 58.56%. There were 24,960 valid ballots, or 97.8% of votes cast.

The event was intended to help young people understand democracy and how elections work. Students could vote for the same candidate lists standing in the upcoming 15th Saeima elections. The ballots differed from the official ones only by the “Signālvēlēšanas” label and logo.

Ventspils and Gulbene municipalities were the only two in Latvia not to take part. The mock elections were held for the second year, but for the first time in person. Results are due to be announced on October 3.