In Luleå diocese, to which Västerbotten belongs, 298,781 people are eligible to vote in this year's church election.
All members over the age of 16 are allowed to vote, unlike in the parliamentary election where you must have turned 18.
- The Church of Sweden sees 16-year-olds as mature enough to vote.
They have been confirmed and are full members, says Joel Hultin who is a priest at the youth unit in Umeå City Council.
Want to reach young people
The Church of Sweden has no statistics on what turnout usually looks like among young people, but sees it as a problem that few 16-year-olds know about the election and that few get involved.
The church conducts information campaigns and school visits.
But during the pandemic, it has been difficult.
This means that Joel Hultin tracks a lower turnout among young people in this year's election.
- It feels boring.
If the young people are not involved and influence, for example, budget issues or theological direction in the election, then others do it.
And older people may have other interests than young people, he says.
"May we see if I vote?"
16-year-old Ella Östman has received her voting card home in the mailbox.
- I will find out more about what it means.
Then we will see if I vote, she says.
Hear more voices about the upcoming church election in the video above.