Reykjavík North () is one of the six multi-member constituencies of the Althing, the national legislature of Iceland. The constituency was established in 2003 when the existing Reykjavík constituency was split into two. The constituency currently elects nine of the 63 members of the Althing using the open party-list proportional representation electoral system. At the 2024 parliamentary election it had 47,600 registered electors.
History In March 1843 King Christian VIII of Denmark issued a royal decree converting the Althing into a consultative assembly. It consisted of 20 members popularly elected from single-member constituencies, one of which was Reykjavík. In the subsequent decades the electoral process, size of Althing and constituencies changed several times. Reykjavík became a two-member constituency in 1903 (effective 1904). In 1920 (effective 1923) it became a four-member constituency using proportional representation. It became a six-member constituency in 1934 and an eight-member constituency in 1942.
One of the main reasons for the changes was the shift in population from rural to urban areas, particularly Reykjavík. The changes however always lagged behind population shifts. This resulted in rural constituencies being over-represented in the Althing. The disproportion in the voting power of rural and urban voters was as high as 10:1 by the mid-20th century. The overrepresentation of rural constituencies favoured the Progressive Party, whose support base was mostly farmers. The party was over-represented in Althing even after the introduction of compensatory seats (equalisation seas) in 1934.
The constituencies were radically altered in 1959 when the single and two-member constituencies were abolished and replaced by seven multi-member constituencies using proportional representation. The number of seats allocated to Reykjavík was increased from 8 to 12 at the same time. This reduced the disproportion in the voting power of rural and urban voters to 3:1.
In September 1997 Prime Minister Davíð Oddsson appointed a committee headed by Friðrik Klemenz Sophusson to review the division of constituencies in Iceland and the organisation of elections. The committee's report was published in October 1998 and recommended, amongst other things, that the number of constituencies be reduced and that they be more equal in population size. The Althing passed an amendment to the constitution in June 1999 which removed the reference to specific eight constituencies contained within Article 31 and instead simply stated that there would be six or seven constituencies and that the Althing would determine the boundaries between the constituencies. The amendment also required that if, following an election to Althing, the number of registered electors per seat (including compensatory seats) in any constituency is less than half of that in another constituency, the National Electoral Commission shall change the allocation of seats so as to reduce the imbalance. This reduced the disproportion in the voting power of rural and urban voters to 2:1.
Reykjavík North was one of six constituencies () established by the "Elections to the Althing Act no. 24/2000" () passed by the Althing in May 2000. The Act required that, when an election to Althing had been called, the National Electoral Commission had to determine the boundaries between the Reykjavík North and Reykjavík South constituencies so that the number of registered electors per seat (including compensatory seats) is approximately the same. The Act initially allocated eleven seats to the constituency - nine constituency seats and two compensatory seats.
Electoral system Reykjavík North currently elects nine of the 63 members of the Althing using the open party-list proportional representation electoral system. Constituency seats are allocated using the D'Hondt method. Compensatory seats (equalisation seats) are calculated based on the national vote and are allocated using the D'Hondt method at the constituency level. Only parties that reach the 5% national threshold compete for compensatory seats.
Election results Summary Election Left-GreenV / U Social DemocratsS People'sF PirateP / Þ ViðreisnC ProgressiveB IndependenceD CentreM Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats Votes % Seats2024 1,080 2.92% 0 9,653 26.08% 3 4,400 11.89% 1 2,006 5.42% 0 6,043 16.32% 2 1,492 4.03% 0 6,459 17.45% 2 3,284 8.87% 12021 5,597 15.94% 2 4,427 12.61% 1 2,694 7.67% 1 4,508 12.84% 1 2,706 7.71% 1 4,329 12.33% 1 7,353 20.94% 2 1,234 3.51% 02017 7,727 21.54% 3 4,575 12.75% 1 2,546 7.10% 0 4,887 13.62% 1 3,013 8.40% 1 1,901 5.30% 0 8,109 22.60% 3 2,509 6.99% 02016 7,318 20.92% 2 1,822 5.21% 0 1,321 3.78% 0 6,663 19.04% 2 4,064 11.62% 1 1,988 5.68% 0 8,539 24.41% 3 2013 5,493 15.67% 2 4,996 14.25% 1 2,407 6.87% 0 5,759 16.43% 2 8,187 23.36% 3 2009 8,432 24.01% 2 11,568 32.94% 3 3,375 9.61% 1 7,508 21.38% 2 2007 5,928 16.92% 2 10,248 29.24% 3 2,186 6.24% 0 12,760 36.41% 4 2003 3,537 9.79% 1 13,110 36.27% 4 4,199 11.62% 1 12,833 35.50% 3 (Excludes compensatory seats.)
Detailed 2020s 2024 Results of the 2024 parliamentary election held on 30 November 2024:
Party Votes % Seats Social Democratic Alliance S 9,653 26.08% 3 1 4 Independence Party D 6,459 17.45% 2 0 2 Viðreisn C 6,043 16.32% 2 1 3 People's Party F 4,400 11.89% 1 0 1 Centre Party M 3,284 8.87% 1 0 1 Socialist Party of Iceland J 2,194 5.93% 0 0 0 Pirate Party P 2,006 5.42% 0 0 0 Progressive Party B 1,492 4.03% 0 0 0 Left-Green Movement V 1,080 2.92% 0 0 0 Democratic Party L 367 0.99% 0 0 0 Responsible Future Y 42 0.11% 0 0 0Valid votes 37,020 100.00% 9 2 11Blank votes 399 1.06% Rejected votes – other 81 0.22% Total polled 37,500 78.78% Registered electors 47,600
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Dagur B. Eggertsson (S), 7,181.25 votes; Diljá Mist Einarsdóttir (D), 4,845.25 votes; Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson (D), 6,247.00 votes; Hanna Katrín Friðriksson (C), 6,027.33 votes; Kristrún Frostadóttir (S), 9,598.62 votes; Pawel Bartoszek (C), 4,944.83 votes; Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson (F), 4,387.67 votes; Sigríður Á. Andersen (M), 3,242.33 votes; and Þórður Snær Júlíusson (S), 7,185.75 votes. Compensatory seats - Dagbjört Hákonardóttir (S), 6,237.62; and Grímur Grímsson (C), 4,029.67 votes.
2021 Results of the 2021 parliamentary election held on 25 September 2021:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 7,353 20.94% 2 0 2 Left-Green Movement V 5,597 15.94% 2 0 2 Pirate Party P 4,508 12.84% 1 1 2 Social Democratic Alliance S 4,427 12.61% 1 1 2 Progressive Party B 4,329 12.33% 1 0 1 Viðreisn C 2,706 7.71% 1 0 1 People's Party F 2,694 7.67% 1 0 1 Socialist Party of Iceland J 1,976 5.63% 0 0 0 Centre Party M 1,234 3.51% 0 0 0 Liberal Democratic Party O 150 0.43% 0 0 0 Responsible Future Y 144 0.41% 0 0 0Valid votes 35,118 100.00% 9 2 11Blank votes 483 1.35% Rejected votes – other 127 0.36% Total polled 35,728 78.76% Registered electors 45,361
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Ásmundur Einar Daðason (B), 4,322.33 votes; Diljá Mist Einarsdóttir (D), 5,466.75 votes; Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson (D), 7,269.50 votes; Halldóra Mogensen (P); 4,466.75 votes; Helga Vala Helgadóttir (S), 4,370.75 votes; Katrín Jakobsdóttir (V), 5,592.75 votes; Steinunn Þóra Árnadóttir (V), 4,190.75 votes; Tómas A. Tómasson (F), 2,691.67 votes; and Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir (C), 2,703.00 votes. Compensatory seats - Andrés Ingi Jónsson (P), 3,368.00 votes; and Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson (S). 3,323.00 votes.
2010s 2017 Results of the 2017 parliamentary election held on 28 October 2017:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 8,109 22.60% 3 0 3 Left-Green Movement V 7,727 21.54% 3 0 3 Pirate Party P 4,887 13.62% 1 1 2 Social Democratic Alliance S 4,575 12.75% 1 0 1 Viðreisn C 3,013 8.40% 1 0 1 People's Party F 2,546 7.10% 0 1 1 Centre Party M 2,509 6.99% 0 0 0 Progressive Party B 1,901 5.30% 0 0 0 Bright Future A 506 1.41% 0 0 0 People's Front of Iceland R 105 0.29% 0 0 0Valid votes 35,878 100.00% 9 2 11Blank votes 711 1.94% Rejected votes – other 144 0.39% Total polled 36,733 79.73% Registered electors 46,073
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Andrés Ingi Jónsson (V), 5,144.83 votes; Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir (D), 6,612.67 votes; Birgir Ármannsson (D), 5,418.00 votes; Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson (D), 7,991.17 votes; Helga Vala Helgadóttir (S), 4,542.67 votes; Helgi Hrafn Gunnarsson (P), 4,878.75 votes; Katrín Jakobsdóttir (V), 7,723.83 votes; Steinunn Þóra Árnadóttir (V), 6,434.67 votes; and Þorsteinn Víglundsson (C), 2,994.33 votes. Compensatory seats - Halldóra Mogensen (P); 3,637.50 votes; and Ólafur Ísleifsson (F), 2,539.33 votes.
2016 Results of the 2016 parliamentary election held on 29 October 2016:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 8,539 24.41% 3 0 3 Left-Green Movement V 7,318 20.92% 2 1 3 Pirate Party P 6,663 19.04% 2 1 3 Viðreisn C 4,064 11.62% 1 0 1 Bright Future A 2,673 7.64% 1 0 1 Progressive Party B 1,988 5.68% 0 0 0 Social Democratic Alliance S 1,822 5.21% 0 0 0 People's Party F 1,321 3.78% 0 0 0 Dawn T 496 1.42% 0 0 0 People's Front of Iceland R 104 0.30% 0 0 0Valid votes 34,988 100.00% 9 2 11Blank votes 700 1.95% Rejected votes – other 175 0.49% Total polled 35,863 77.88% Registered electors 46,051
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir (D), 7,040.50 vtes; Birgir Ármannsson (D), 5,690.00 votes; Birgitta Jónsdóttir (P), 6,464.17 votes; Björn Leví Gunnarsson (P), 5,570.50 votes; Björt Ólafsdóttir (A), 2,655.33 votes; Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson (D), 8,390.33 votes; Katrín Jakobsdóttir (V), 7,315.33 votes; Steinunn Þóra Árnadóttir (V), 6,092.33 votes; and Þorsteinn Víglundsson (C), 4,011.67 votes. Compensatory seats - Andrés Ingi Jónsson (V), 4,870.00 votes; and Halldóra Mogensen (P); 4,452.50 votes.
2013 Results of the 2013 parliamentary election held on 27 April 2013:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 8,187 23.36% 3 0 3 Progressive Party B 5,759 16.43% 2 0 2 Left-Green Movement V 5,493 15.67% 2 0 2 Social Democratic Alliance S 4,996 14.25% 1 1 2 Bright Future A 3,576 10.20% 1 0 1 Pirate Party Þ 2,407 6.87% 0 1 1 Iceland Democratic Party L 1,398 3.99% 0 0 0 Households Party I 1,289 3.68% 0 0 0 Dawn T 1,073 3.06% 0 0 0 Right-Green People's Party G 556 1.59% 0 0 0 Rainbow J 181 0.52% 0 0 0 Humanist Party H 71 0.20% 0 0 0 People's Front of Iceland R 64 0.18% 0 0 0Valid votes 35,050 100.00% 9 2 11Blank votes 767 2.13% Rejected votes – other 146 0.41% Total polled 35,963 79.00% Registered electors 45,523
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Árni Þór Sigurðsson (V), 4,054.3 votes; Birgir Ármannsson (D), 5,439.0 votes; Björt Ólafsdóttir (A), 3,456.7 votes; Brynjar Níelsson (D), 6,719.5 votes; Frosti Sigurjónsson (B), 5,752.0 votes; Illugi Gunnarsson (D), 7,943.0 votes; Katrín Jakobsdóttir (V), 5,488.0 votes; Össur Skarphéðinsson (S), 4,888.0 votes; and Sigrún Magnúsdóttir (B), 4,234.5 votes. Compensatory seats - Helgi Hrafn Gunnarsson (Þ), 2,383.0 votes; and Valgerður Bjarnadóttir (S), 3,693.8 votes.
2000s 2009 Results of the 2009 parliamentary election held on 25 April 2009:
Party Votes % Seats Social Democratic Alliance S 11,568 32.94% 3 1 4 Left-Green Movement V 8,432 24.01% 2 1 3 Independence Party D 7,508 21.38% 2 0 2 Progressive Party B 3,375 9.61% 1 0 1 Citizens' Movement O 3,357 9.56% 1 0 1 Liberal Party F 556 1.58% 0 0 0 Democracy Movement P 325 0.93% 0 0 0Valid votes 35,121 100.00% 9 2 11Blank votes 1,145 3.14% Rejected votes – other 174 0.48% Total polled 36,440 83.26% Registered electors 43,767
The following candidates were elected: