ABSTRACT
The local elections in Estonia, held every four years, take place in a single-tier local government system. The list proportional representation (PR list) electoral system is used. Internet voting is widespread – in the last elections (2017), 32% of votes were cast electronically. The body of eligible voters for the local elections differs somewhat from the national elections, as in the local elections noncitizens and non-EU citizens (mostly Russian citizens) have a right to vote. Regardless of the small size of Estonian municipalities, political parties have acquired a dominant position in local politics; however, nonparty lists still fare well in small municipalities. Elite entrenchment and low competitiveness are major challenges for many municipalities, and the recent radical amalgamation reform (2017) has not yet substantially changed the situation.
