The Ballot - Piece of Paper or Tool of Power

The exhibition at the Nordic Culture Point looks into the source code of democracies: The ballot paper and the underlying electoral laws that this modest piece of paper brings into a tangible form. The exhibition tracks the evolution of the ballot paper in Finland, the other Nordic countries, Germany, and Lithuania by presenting 60 historic artefacts from 1856 to 2021.

The evolution of the Finnish ballot started with one of the most progressive electoral laws in 1906, featuring oversized, so-called bed sheet ballots. Starting in 1945 Finland switched to one of the smallest ballots in the world, nicknamed appropriately the miniature ballot, which is still in use today. 

“The Ballot” is an exhibition where the visitor can learn about the development of democracy seen through this small but highly significant artefact. Why do the ballot papers look the way they do? Who actually designed them? How come the ballots are so different between countries with similar political systems? How do ballots reflect political trends and events over time? Is the current ballot design the best we can do or is there space for improvement?

Nordic Culture Point  - Pohjoismainen kulttuuripiste

16.3.-5.4.2023

Tue-Thu 12.00-19.00

Fri 12.00-16.00

Free entry