The power of your vote

The International
Nov 16
4 min read

Why the right to vote matters, and how this November reminds us that every voice can shape a community.

Images: Various

Welcome to our November issue. This month always feels like a turning point - not a dramatic one, just a moment where the year slows down enough for us to look around and consider what truly matters. And there is a lot worth paying attention to right now.

Before we delve into this month’s central theme, I would like to highlight the strong lineup of articles our writers have been working on. You’ll find our regular cultural perspective pieces from writers who live and observe Danish life from many homes around Denmark. We continue sharing real stories that reflect the everyday challenges and victories of people living in Denmark. Our #theforgottengold movement coverage continues to shine a light on voices and histories that deserve more visibility. And for those focusing on their next professional steps, we feature career articles offering practical advice, guidance, and honest reflections. Alongside these, you’ll also find many more thoughtful pieces from our team, each shaped by lived experience.

Why your voice in November matters

This November brings something significant: Denmark’s local and regional elections on Tuesday, 18 November. These elections influence everyday life - schools, health services, childcare, public transport, community planning, and more. For many internationals, these elections are one of the few opportunities to vote. Even if you are not eligible to vote, you can still participate by staying informed and engaged.

The right to vote, and the responsibility that comes with it, is something deeply personal for me. And it goes back to the first time I ever cast a ballot.

“You must support the vision of a free South Africa. Go out and vote.” - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Madiba)

My first vote: South Africa, 1994

I was eighteen when I cast my first vote. It was 1994, and South Africa was holding its first fully democratic election. Nelson Mandela, or Madiba as we lovingly called him, had been released from prison. For the first time in our nation’s history, every South African over eighteen, regardless of background, had the right to vote.

I remember the long line. I remember the faces, the conversations, the quiet focus. Many had waited their entire lives for this moment. I was proud to vote for leaders I respected, including Madiba, but even more important was knowing that I was part of a moment that would change the country forever.

That day taught me something important: voting is not a small act. It is powerful. It is meaningful. And it carries the weight of possibility.

Why this month feels significant

Living in Denmark now, I think of that first vote often - especially during election years. The circumstances are different, of course, but the principle stays the same: having a voice matters.

The local elections here shape the places we live, the services we rely on, and the direction our communities take. And this year, we are seeing more internationals stepping into the political arena than ever before.

Internationals running in Denmark

In the Last Week in Denmark section, we highlight the growing number of internationals running for local office. It’s a noticeable shift, and it raises meaningful questions:

Why now? What has changed? What motivates people with international backgrounds to put themselves forward?

I’ve followed debates, read candidate profiles, listened to interviews, and watched discussions unfold online. Many internationals are no longer standing on the sidelines; they want to be part of shaping decisions that affect their neighbourhoods and their daily lives.

This says something important about Denmark today. Communities here are increasingly diverse, and people from different backgrounds make substantial contributions in many areas of society. It makes sense that they would also want representation in local decision-making.

A practical guide to voting

Because local elections in Denmark can be confusing - especially if you didn’t grow up with this system - Last Week In Denmark has included a clear guide on this issue:

→ Who can vote?

→ How to vote?

→ What do municipal and regional councils do?

→ The parties involved?

→ What issues often shape the election conversations?

It’s practical, simple, and meant to help you feel prepared.

Stories, representation, and participation

Across all our articles this month, cultural pieces, real stories, #theforgottengold movement writing, career articles, and election coverage - one idea keeps showing up: participation matters.

A community becomes stronger when the people living in it take part, ask questions, share experiences, and stay informed. Whether you cast a vote this November or follow the results from the outside, you are contributing to a larger conversation.

Looking ahead to 18 November

If you are voting on 18 November, I hope you take a moment to acknowledge what that vote represents - your voice, your presence, your influence in shaping the place you call home. And if you cannot vote, your engagement still matters. Following the debates, talking to friends and colleagues, and learning how the system works are all important forms of participation. We will all those running the best of luck!

When I think back to that first historic vote in South Africa, I remember how it felt to realise that my voice was part of something larger. That feeling has stayed with me my entire life. And I believe everyone deserves the chance to feel that their voice counts.

Thank you for reading this issue, for supporting our writers, and for taking part in these conversations. I hope the articles in this edition give you insight, useful information, and a renewed sense of how powerful your voice can be - on election day, and every day.

Warm Regards,

Lyndsay Jensen

Editor-in-Chief & Founder