Parliament Backs Special Voting Rights for Grindavík

2026-02-20 - 10:05

Iceland’s parliament has approved amendments to the Local Government Elections Act allowing displaced residents of Grindavík to choose where they cast their vote in upcoming municipal elections. As reported by RÚV, the measure applies to those who were legally domiciled in Grindavík before the evacuation on 10 November 2023. What's the Story? Amendment approved by the Alþingi to the Local Government Elections Act Applies to residents domiciled in Grindavík before 10 November 2023 evacuation; choice to vote in Grindavík or current municipality 1,246 registered residents in Grindavík at start of year, down from 3,720 in September 2023 Grindavíkurkirkja Church. Photo: Jon Gretarsson. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. Temporary election provision Eligible voters may now vote either in Grindavík or in the municipality where they are currently registered. The temporary provision was passed by the Alþingi following a consultation process launched last autumn on the town’s reconstruction. Legislative plans were later presented by the Ministry of Justice concerning local elections scheduled for May. Árni Þór Sigurðsson, chair of the Grindavík Committee, previously said the proposals reflected the committee’s recommendations. “And then we would like those who lived in Grindavík, and especially those who plan to move back, to be able to participate in shaping the future through the local elections,” said Árni. According to the explanatory memorandum, the aim is to safeguard voting rights as part of rebuilding the community following natural disasters. At the beginning of this year, 1,246 people were registered with a legal address in Grindavík, compared with 3,720 at the end of September 2023.