People living in Graz go to the polls on June 28th to vote for a new City Council and District Councils.
While Austrian nationals and EU citizens can vote in these elections, those from non-EU countries – such as the UK, India, the US and Brazil – are not eligible to cast a ballot.
But there is a way for the roughly 40,000 internationals in Austria's second-largest city to have their say. On the same day, voters will elect members of the Graz Migrants' Advisory Council (Migrant:innenbeirat Graz).
READ ALSO: Can foreigners vote in elections in Graz?
'Good opportunity for foreigners'
The council, which has been running for more than 30 years, represents the interests of people with an international background and advises the local government on issues including equality, integration and discrimination.
Among those standing in this year's election is Frank Eggleton, a New Zealander who has lived in Graz for four years and is running with community organisation Base Graz Voice of Migrants.
Eggleton said the election offers foreign residents a rare opportunity to have a voice in politics. "I would say this is their only chance to vote and have any kind of say in the country or the state they're living in now," he told The Local.
The 50-year-old, who works as a digital strategist on creative and community projects, became interested in the council partly because of his own experience adapting to life in Austria.
One of the biggest challenges facing newcomers, he said, is isolation, particularly for those who move to the country because of a partner or family connection.
"You're in a brand new country where you don't really know the language, and your partner only has so much time to help you," he said.
He believes the advisory council, which is made up of nine elected members, can help identify those challenges and bring them to the attention of city officials.
"The job of the council, I think, is to see what people need in that aspect – to talk with people, see what's missing and hopefully come to the council and discuss this."
Godswill Eyawo, CEO of the Migrants' Advisory Council, recently told the Stadt Graz Podcast that this election is particularly special because "everyone who lives here and is above 16 years of age is allowed to vote".
"This is very interesting because people from non-EU countries don't have voting rights in Austria," he added. "They cannot vote in state elections or in national parliamentary elections.
"Even at the municipal level, they cannot vote for political representatives. But they can vote for representatives of the Migrants' Advisory Council – which is a good thing."
Eyawo said internationals live across the city, but there is a higher number in districts like Gries, Lend, Jakomini, Eggenberg and Puntigam.
READ ALSO: How can foreigners have their say in Austria?
Bridging the gap
Eggleton said members of the Migrants' Advisory Council get a "behind the scenes look at the city council" and can attend meetings and discussions on issues affecting local communities.
However, he argued that politics often remains inaccessible to foreign residents. While he acknowledges that learning German is essential in Austria, he believes language continues to be a barrier for many newcomers.
"To me, it doesn't seem like there's a lot of information on what happens at the meetings in any other language other than German," he said.
"It takes a long time to get to becoming close enough to German where you feel like an adult person in German. For a while, you feel like a child."
Eggleton said he has been learning German for four years but still struggles with the language.
If elected, one of his priorities would be making information from the council more accessible to English-speaking residents.
"I know that I'm going to be writing out notes from my meetings in English," he said, adding that he wants to give non-EU residents "an idea of what's happening".
The Migrants' Advisory Council represents residents from a wide range of backgrounds, including people who arrived as refugees and those who moved to Austria for work, study or family reasons.
Eggleton believes it plays an important role in bridging the gap between migrant communities and local decision-makers.
"I would describe it as connecting," he said.
The wider political climate also remains on the minds of some migrants. While Eggleton described Graz residents as generally very welcoming, he said broader political shifts across Austria and Europe can create uncertainty.
"Things can change quickly," he said.
'Take this election seriously'
As election day approaches, representatives hope foreign residents will take part in this vote.
Eyawo said voter turnout has previously been low. In 2021 just five percent of eligible voters took part.
"If turnout is low... the legitimacy of the council is weaker," he said. "It is the voters who give the council its legitimacy. If many people vote, the Migrants' Advisory Council will have a stronger voice.
"I really believe migrants should take this election seriously and turn out in large numbers."
Eyawo is hoping for at least 20,000 to 25,000 foreign residents to cast a ballot.
"That would be a great result," he said.
Eyawo made an appeal to non-EU nationals: "Graz is your city. You live here, you work here, you study here.
"We should be involved in the political life of our city. Even if we cannot vote for municipal or district councillors, we can vote for our own representatives.
"These representatives will advocate for our interests and work with elected officials."
How to vote in the Graz Migrant Advisory Council election
The election for takes place on Sunday June 28th. You can vote if you:
- Do not hold citizenship of an EU member state
- Are at least 16 years old on election day
- Have your main residence registered in Graz
Eligible voters should have received an official election information letter from the City of Graz in June with details of where they can vote.
Those unable to attend a polling station on election day can also vote by postal ballot (Wahlkarte) up to Tuesday June 23rd. Postal ballots can be obtained at all municipal service centres.
For more information and to find out the candidates, visit the Migrants' Advisory Council site.
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