Students’ Voices are Needed!

Published: 03/24/2025 12:14 pm Author: Jonne Heikkinen (Chairperson of the Representative Council)

Students are an ever-growing part of the population in Kuopio and its surrounding municipalities. Among students, you sometimes hear statements like, “Voting is too political” or “One vote doesn’t really matter.” However, during election time, it is important to remember that we are the ones shaping the future of Kuopio and its neighboring areas. As Kuopio continues to grow, it is crucial that we, as students, express our opinions now to influence the kind of changes and improvements we need in the future.

According to Statistics Finland (SVT 2021), the voter turnout in the 2021 municipal elections across Finland dropped significantly compared to previous years, with a noticeable decline particularly among young voters. This directly affects how students will be considered in the future development of the city.

Every Student’s Vote Matters

Your vote has a significant impact on how we, as a student community, can shape Kuopio into a city where students want to study, complete their master’s degree programs, or even settle into working life. While some students may eventually return to their hometowns or move elsewhere after graduation, many see Kuopio as the place to build a home and start a family—a place where students should feel comfortable and supported. Even if you do not plan to stay in Kuopio after your studies, your vote still carries great importance.

Let’s remember to vote and ensure that our voices as students are heard! – Jonne Heikkinen, Chairperson of the Representative Council, Student Union SAVOTTA

Who Is SAVOTTA?

The Student Union SAVOTTA represents and advocates for students at Savonia University of Applied Sciences across all its campuses in Iisalmi, Varkaus, and Kuopio. You may come across the name SAVOTTA when handling matters on campus, seeing event advertisements around the city, or through announcements from your student association. However, one of SAVOTTA’s key roles is to serve as a unifying body for its members and to promote their societal, social, and mental well-being, as well as their rights and status as students in society. The student union is politically, religiously, and ideologically independent.

Source: Statistics Finland (SVT): Municipal elections [online publication]. ISSN=2323-1092. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [accessed: 21.3.2025]. Available at: https://stat.fi/til/kvaa/