Latvian voters cast 38,600 early ballots in two days

About 38,600 voters cast ballots early ahead of Latvia’s 15th Saeima, or parliament, elections, LSM reported. Including 4,907 applications to vote by post, participation reached 43,494 people, or 2.79% of eligible voters.

At least 38,600 voters, or 2.48%, had submitted ballots for storage during the first two days of early voting, which began on September 28. Figures from some polling stations were still being compiled and may be updated.

The turnout was higher than during the first two days of early voting ahead of the previous parliamentary election, when 27,182 voters, or 1.76%, submitted ballots.

Riga recorded the highest activity, with about 15,900 voters, or 2.65% of eligible voters, submitting ballots. At least 11,300 did so in Vidzeme, 4,246 in Zemgale and 3,693 in Kurzeme. Latgale had the lowest turnout, with at least 3,394 ballots submitted.

Voters who cannot vote on election day, October 3, can still submit a ballot for storage at any polling station on September 30 from 5pm to 8pm, October 1 from 8am to 11am, or October 2 from noon to 3pm. Voters can change their choice until election day; only their most recent ballot will count.