Voting is an act of integration

Municipal and regional polls are the only chance for those who live and work in Slovakia but do not have a Slovak passport to influence how things develop around them.

Election, illustrative stock photoElection, illustrative stock photo (Source: Sme)

Should foreigners living in a country be able to vote in its elections? Anyone who has ever lived in a country other than their own have probably found themselves discussing that question over a glass of beer with other expats.

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Some argue that they should be able to decide what the authorities do with the taxes that they also contribute, even if they are not citizens. Others feel it is not their place to make electoral decisions in a country where they feel more like guests.

On November 4, regional elections will take place in Slovakia. Unlike the national or presidential elections, these are linked to one’s permanent address rather than state citizenship, which means that everyone who permanently resides in each region, regardless of their nationality, is entitled to vote.

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