Circular - Residents’ Referendum on the Merger of the Municipalities of Skagabyggð and Húnabyggð 8 to 22 June 2024
The local councils of Skagabyggð and Húnabyggð have agreed to hold a referendum among their residents on a merger of the municipalities. The referendum will take place between 8 and 22 June 2024. The outcome is binding and the approval of a majority of residents in each municipality is required for the merger to take place.
Opinion of the Co-operation Committee
The local councils of both municipalities have discussed the Co-operation Committee's opinion on the merger, based on a report prepared by the Committee on the possible merger of the municipalities.
It is the opinion of the Co-operation Committee, after consultation and analysis of the situation, that it would be a positive step forward to merge the two municipalities into one. This will create a strong municipality, with increased capacity and a stronger operating base, opening up possibilities for improved services to residents.
Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the opinion and its premises on the websites of Húnabyggð and Skagabyggð.
Proposal of the Co-operation Committee
According to the Co-operation Committee's proposal for a merger, the local councils of Húnabyggð will take over management of the merged municipality if the merger of the municipalities is approved. The current local council of Skagabyggð will have a local role, carrying out specific tasks concerning the interests of the region and its residents for the duration of the current electoral term. The Mountain Pasture Committee (Icel. Fjallskilanefnd) of Skagabyggð will continue unchanged for the duration of the electoral term.
Co-operation will be sought with the municipality of Skagaströnd to enable children to attend pre-school and compulsory school there, if their parents so wish. Similarly, efforts will be made to reach agreements on the continued participation of elderly and disabled people who wish to do so in social activities and on co-operation with the fire brigade to ensure safety and an appropriate response capacity.
Open residents’ meetings
Open meetings will be held in June, where the opinion of the Co-operation Committee will be presented, together with the premises on which the proposal for the merger of the municipalities is based. There will be opportunities for questions from and discussions with residents.
In Skagabyggð:
A residents’ meeting will be held in Skagabúð on Monday, 3 June, at 20:00.
In Húnabyggð:
A residents' meeting will be held in the community centre in Blönduós on Tuesday, 4 June, at 20:00.
This circular is available in Icelandic on the municipalities' websites www.skagabyggd.is and www.hunabyggd.is along with instructions regarding the referendum.
This circular is available in Polish on the municipalities' websites www.skagabyggd.is and www.hunabyggd.is along with instructions regarding the referendum.
Referendum arrangements
Icelandic and Nordic citizens, who have reached the age of 16 years before the end of voting on 22 June 2024, and who have their legal domicile in either of the municipalities as of 16 May 2024, are entitled to vote. Other foreign citizens, who meet the same conditions as apply to Icelandic citizens and who have been domiciled in Iceland for three consecutive years prior to the start of the referendum, also have the right to vote. The electoral register will be open for checking 14 days before the referendum begins on the web:
www.skra.is/folk/kjorskra-og-kosningar/hvar-a-eg-ad-kjosa
As voting will take place in each municipality separately, voters are to vote in the municipality where they have their legal domicile.
Polling stations
In Skagabyggð, voting will be in Skagabúð. Polling station opening hours are:
8 June 2024 12:00 - 14:00
15 June 2024 12:00 - 14:00
22 June 2024 12:00 - 18:00
In Húnabyggð, the voting will take place at Húnabyggð municipal offices at Hnjúkabyggð 33, and at the sports centre at Melabraut 2 in Blönduós.
Opening hours at the municipal offices:
09:00 - 15:00 on weekdays
Sports centre opening hours:
8 June 2024 12:00 - 16:00
22 June 2024 10:00 - 18:00
Voting by mail
A resident who is unable to go to a polling station during the election period can request to vote by mail. Such a request must be received by e-mail or by telephone, and must state whether the voting documents should be sent to the relevant party by regular mail or by e-mail. A resident who chooses to vote by mail is responsible for delivering the ballot to the polling station before the polls close on 22 June 2024.
Contact persons for voting by mail:
Skagabyggð:
Bjarney Ragnhildur, bjarneyragnhildur@gmail.com, tel.: 867-4566
Húnabyggð:
Katrín Benediktsdóttir, katrin@hunabyggd.is tel.: 455-4700