First-time voter casts ballot early before leaving Latvia

Mark Aboliņš, 19, took part in his first election by submitting his ballot for safekeeping on Friday because he will be outside Latvia on election day, LSM reported. He voted in a polling station at a Riga shopping centre.

“It feels very powerful. It is not only my first Saeima election, but my first nationwide election,” he said. “You feel that you have expressed your opinion and are helping shape change, rather than just complaining.”

A queue had formed at the polling station, with voters waiting about 20 minutes. Aboliņš spent several minutes deciding how to vote, saying it was difficult to choose among Latvia’s many parties, some of which have similar platforms.

He said he selected one party and crossed out candidates he did not want to support. He did not name them, but said he favoured some candidates on the list more than others.

Aboliņš said parties reach young voters through social media. He also considers how active candidates are in their words and actions, and whether their views align with his own. He urged others to vote the next day.