Swedish Church Turns to TikTok to Engage Young Voters Ahead of Elections
The Swedish Church engages young voters through TikTok to increase participation in upcoming elections.
- • Advance voting for the Swedish Church elections starts on September 6, 2025.
- • Last election saw only 18% voter participation despite a high interest in faith.
- • 46% of church members believe it is important to influence church activities.
- • Men cite political interest for voting, while women emphasize the church's work.
Key details
The Swedish Church is ramping up efforts to engage young voters via TikTok and other social media as it approaches its upcoming elections, with advance voting commencing on September 6, 2025. Camilla Asp, Secretary General of the Swedish Church, has emphasized the necessity of capturing the attention of young adults, especially since the last election saw a disappointing voter turnout of only 18%. Despite a notable interest in faith among members, surveys reveal that only 46% deem it important to influence church operations, highlighting a significant gap between perceived importance and voting participation.
The church aims to attract younger demographics, especially those under 16 who are ineligible to vote, through platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat. According to Asp, awareness of the elections was previously as high as 96% yet participation remains low, indicating a need for innovative outreach strategies. The church's election leader, Nils Warmland, noted that local elections have a broad impact on community services and activities, including cultural initiatives and social work.
Research indicates gender disparities in voting motivations: men frequently cite political interest, whereas women are more inclined to prioritize the church's role in local and social concerns. As the church seeks to turn this 'forgotten election' into an engaging opportunity for its younger members, the upcoming weeks will be crucial for boosting turnout.