Denmark

The electoral system is in practice nationally proportional, but the calculation of seats is quite complicated under the surface, as it is done at several levels, so the representation is also highly localized. The system divides Denmark into 3 electoral regions and within these into a total of 10 multi-seat constituencies. Before the election, the seats are distributed among the 10 constituencies according to the population, the number of voters and the size of the area according to the formula 'proportionately' (in proportion to the values ​​obtained by multi-variable weighting), with the additional requirement that the smallest district also has at least two seats. Thus, 135 seats are distributed in the 10 constituencies, and the remaining 40 seats are compensatory (leveling seats), not allocated to a constituency in advance.

The seats are allocated using the D'Hondt (Jefferson) method based on the results of each party in a given constituency, there is no legal electoral threshold for obtaining a seat, only the natural (mathematical) threshold must be reached. To obtain compensatory seats, however, at least one of the following alternative thresholds must be reached:

• at least 2% of the valid votes nationwide,

• at least one constituency seat must be obtained, or

• the number of votes corresponding to the simple quota in 2 of the 3 large regions

The 40 compensatory seats are distributed among the parties that meet at least one of the above conditions, taking into account the seats already obtained (therefore the distribution is compensatory), using the simple quota and the largest remainder method, which provides a very high degree of proportionality. The compensatory seats of each party are then distributed proportionally between the 3 large electoral regions using the Sainte-Lague method. The seats won by each party in the given region are then distributed among the multi-member districts of the given region (not counting the seats already won, i.e. in a parallel fashion), using a special divisor method ('Danish divisors'), which favors smaller regions/numbers of votes (the divisors: 1, 4, 7, 10, etc.).

Within the multi-member districts, parties can also nominate candidates in so-called nomination districts, but these are relics of the old single-member districts and are no longer used. Instead, they nominate pre-determined party lists, the order of which can be changed by voters. A candidate can only jump to the top of the list if he has obtained the proportion of votes corresponding to the Droop quota. The list system does not exclude independents from running, in principle. However, since 1953, there have only been two cases where an independent candidate has won a seat. To start a new party, it is necessary to collect 20,000 signatures. 

In Denmark, referendums about laws are mandatory in multiple cases, for example, if they involve the giving up sovereignty in favor of an international organization and were adopted by less than a 5/6 majority in parliament. In practice, a referendum is usually held even if a 5/6 majority supported the law. In the case of many laws, a referendum is also mandatory the the request of a third of the members of parliament. In order for the 'yes' vote to win in a referendum, in addition to a simple majority, it is also necessary that the proposal is actively supported by 30% of those entitled to vote. This means that if the proposal only has a narrow simple majority, it can only be accepted with a turnout of more than 60%, but the larger the majority among the voters, the more effective the vote can be with a lower turnout, for example, if the proportion of yes votes is 90%, then a turnout of 34% is sufficient.

For constitutional amendments, it is not enough for the parliament to vote on it, but first the parliament must vote in the same form after the next parliamentary election, and then the issue must be put to a referendum. In addition to a simple majority, a referendum also requires the active support of 40% of those eligible to vote. This means that if the proposal only has a narrow simple majority, it can only be accepted with a turnout of more than 80%, but the larger the majority among the voters, the more effective the vote can be with a lower turnout, for example, if the proportion of yes votes is 80%, then a turnout of 50% is sufficient.

MEPs from Denmark are elected every 5 years (at the same time as in the other EU member states). The entire country forms one constituency, in which 15 MEPs were elected in 2024. Due to "degressive proportionality", Bulgarian voters have more representatives per capita than the EU average.

The main principle in the election of the Parliament (within the countries) is proportionality: by default, only a proportional system can be used, but beyond this, the member states decide for themselves what type. Denmark, like most member states, uses an open-list proportional system. This means that voters can vote not only for a party list, but also for a candidate on the list, thus allowing them the chance to collectively change the predetermined order of the candidates. The allocation of seats between parties is done using the D'Hondt (Jefferson) method, therefore the system is slightly biased towards larger parties. There is no legal electoral threshold, but in practice (due to the 15 seats) a minimum of about 6% is required to obtain a seat.

The minimum age for both active suffrage (the right to vote) and passive suffrage (the right to stand for election) is 18 years. Voting is not compulsory, and voting at embassies is possible, but postal voting, online voting or proxy voting are not.

This is the description of the electoral system of Denmark as of 2026.04.20 on Electoral Knowledgebase. Sources and further information on this topic:

• 2024 European Parliament elections: National rules (European Parliament)

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