The country of Norway consists of 429 various sized municipalities spread through 19 counties. Representing different areas of Norway, both the municipalities and counties are faced with different problems and opportunities. While the west coast is host to a large portion of the Norwegian oil industry, the northern part is known for its fishing industry, and the different characteristics of each county and region create a foundation and need for local policies that cannot be decided through national elections or governing.
Municipal elections are held every fourth year on the second Monday of September. National elections for Parliament are also held every fourth year, alternating with the local, making elections for office an every-second-year tradition.
When voting in the local elections, voters each place one vote for city council and one vote for county council, meaning they are able to vote for two different parties if they choose. This adds an interesting dimension to Norwegian elections in general: with one vote each in the Parliamentary, county, and municipal elections, a Norwegian citizen can vote for as many as three of the Norwegian political parties.
Results from the Sept. 12 voting:
Arbeiderpartiet (The Norwegian Labour Party): 31.7% (+ 2.0%)
Høyre (The Conservative Party of Norway): 28% (+ 8.8%)
Fremskrittspartiet (The Progress Party): 11.4% (- 6.1%)
Senterpartiet (The Centre Party): 6.7% (- 1.2%)
Venstre: 6.3% (+ 0.5%)
Kristelig Folkeparti (The Norwegian Christian Democratic Party): 5.6% (- 0.7%)
Sosialistisk Venstreparti (Socialist Left Party): 4.1% (- 1.9%)
Rødt: 1.5% (- 0.2%)