Northwest () is one of the six multi-member constituencies of the Althing, the national legislature of Iceland. The constituency was established in 2003 following the re-organisation of constituencies across Iceland when the Northwestern constituency (excluding Siglufjörður municipality which was merged into the Northeast constituency) was merged with the Western and Westfjords constituencies. Northwest consists of the regions of Northwestern, Western and Westfjords. The constituency currently elects six of the 63 members of the Althing using the open party-list proportional representation electoral system. At the 2024 parliamentary election it had 22,351 registered electors.
History 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.
Northwest 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 initially allocated ten seats to the constituency - nine constituency seats and one compensatory seat. The number of seats allocated to Northwest was reduced to nine (eight constituency and one compensatory) in May 2003, eight (seven constituency and one compensatory) in May 2013 and seven (six constituency and one compensatory) in October 2021.
Electoral system Northwest currently elects six 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 486 2.69% 0 2,871 15.88% 1 3,023 16.72% 1 322 1.78% 0 2,286 12.65% 1 2,406 13.31% 1 3,249 17.98% 1 2,669 14.77% 12021 1,978 11.47% 1 1,195 6.93% 0 1,510 8.75% 1 1,081 6.27% 0 1,063 6.16% 0 4,448 25.78% 3 3,897 22.59% 2 1,278 7.41% 02017 3,067 17.78% 1 1,681 9.74% 1 911 5.28% 0 1,169 6.78% 0 423 2.45% 0 3,177 18.42% 2 4,233 24.54% 2 2,456 14.24% 12016 3,032 18.09% 1 1,054 6.29% 0 412 2.46% 0 1,823 10.88% 1 1,044 6.23% 0 3,482 20.78% 2 4,951 29.54% 3 2013 1,470 8.47% 0 2,122 12.23% 1 537 3.09% 0 6,104 35.17% 4 4,282 24.67% 2 2009 4,018 22.82% 2 4,001 22.73% 2 3,967 22.53% 2 4,037 22.93% 2 2007 2,855 15.95% 1 3,793 21.19% 2 3,362 18.79% 1 5,199 29.05% 3 2003 1,987 10.62% 1 4,346 23.23% 2 4,057 21.68% 2 5,532 29.57% 3 (Excludes compensatory seats.)
Detailed 2020s 2024 Results of the 2024 parliamentary election held on 30 November 2024:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 3,249 17.98% 1 0 1 People's Party F 3,023 16.72% 1 1 2 Social Democratic Alliance S 2,871 15.88% 1 0 1 Centre Party M 2,669 14.77% 1 0 1 Progressive Party B 2,406 13.31% 1 0 1 Viðreisn C 2,286 12.65% 1 0 1 Socialist Party of Iceland J 620 3.43% 0 0 0 Left-Green Movement V 486 2.69% 0 0 0 Pirate Party P 322 1.78% 0 0 0 Democratic Party L 143 0.79% 0 0 0Valid votes 18,075 100.00% 6 1 7Blank votes 284 1.54% Rejected votes – other 39 0.21% Total polled 18,398 82.31% Registered electors 22,351
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Arna Lára Jónsdóttir (S), 2,859.67 votes; Eyjólfur Ármannsson (F), 3,019.75 votes; Ingibjörg Davíðsdóttir (M), 2,664.33 votes; María Rut Kristinsdóttir (C), 2,285.00 votes; Ólafur Adolfsson (D), 3,239.00 votes; and Stefán Vagn Stefánsson (B), 2,343.33 votes. Compensatory seats - Lilja Rafney Magnúsdóttir (F), 2,251.50 votes.
2021 Results of the 2021 parliamentary election held on 25 September 2021:
Party Votes % Seats Progressive Party B 4,448 25.78% 3 0 3 Independence Party D 3,897 22.59% 2 0 2 Left-Green Movement V 1,978 11.47% 1 0 1 People's Party F 1,510 8.75% 1 0 1 Centre Party M 1,278 7.41% 0 1 1 Social Democratic Alliance S 1,195 6.93% 0 0 0 Pirate Party P 1,081 6.27% 0 0 0 Viðreisn C 1,063 6.16% 0 0 0 Socialist Party of Iceland J 728 4.22% 0 0 0 Liberal Democratic Party O 73 0.42% 0 0 0Valid votes 17,251 100.00% 7 1 8Blank votes 382 2.16% Rejected votes – other 35 0.20% Total polled 17,668 82.02% Registered electors 21,541
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Bjarni Jónsson (V), 1,941.33 votes; Eyjólfur Ármannsson (F), 1,507.67 votes; Halla Signý Kristjánsdóttir (B), 2,974.50 votes; Haraldur Benediktsson (D), 2,882.50 votes; Lilja Rannveig Sigurgeirsdóttir (B), 3,703.50 votes; Stefán Vagn Stefánsson (B), 4,393.00 votes; and Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir (D), 3,854.75 votes. Compensatory seats - Bergþór Ólason (M), 1,249.67 votes.
2010s 2017 Results of the 2017 parliamentary election held on 28 October 2017:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 4,233 24.54% 2 0 2 Progressive Party B 3,177 18.42% 2 0 2 Left-Green Movement V 3,067 17.78% 1 0 1 Centre Party M 2,456 14.24% 1 1 2 Social Democratic Alliance S 1,681 9.74% 1 0 1 Pirate Party P 1,169 6.78% 0 0 0 People's Party F 911 5.28% 0 0 0 Viðreisn C 423 2.45% 0 0 0 Bright Future A 135 0.78% 0 0 0Valid votes 17,252 100.00% 7 1 8Blank votes 582 3.26% Rejected votes – other 38 0.21% Total polled 17,872 83.04% Registered electors 21,521
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Ásmundur Einar Daðason (B), 3,078.75 votes; Bergþór Ólason (M), 2,442.00 votes; Guðjón Brjánsson (S), 1,637.00 votes; Halla Signý Kristjánsdóttir (B), 2,395.50 votes; Haraldur Benediktsson (D), 4,200.25 votes; Lilja Rafney Magnúsdóttir (V), 3,032.33 votes; and Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir (D), 3,174.00 votes. Compensatory seats - Sigurður Páll Jónsson (M), 1,842.50 votes.
2016 Results of the 2016 parliamentary election held on 29 October 2016:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 4,951 29.54% 3 0 3 Progressive Party B 3,482 20.78% 2 0 2 Left-Green Movement V 3,032 18.09% 1 0 1 Pirate Party P 1,823 10.88% 1 0 1 Social Democratic Alliance S 1,054 6.29% 0 1 1 Viðreisn C 1,044 6.23% 0 0 0 Bright Future A 590 3.52% 0 0 0 People's Party F 412 2.46% 0 0 0 Dawn T 282 1.68% 0 0 0 Icelandic National Front E 90 0.54% 0 0 0Valid votes 16,760 100.00% 7 1 8Blank votes 642 3.68% Rejected votes – other 42 0.24% Total polled 17,444 81.21% Registered electors 21,481
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Elsa Lára Arnardóttir (B), 2,691.75 votes; Eva Pandora Baldursdóttir (P), 1,814.00 votes; Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson (B), 3,118.50 votes; Haraldur Benediktsson (D), 4,919.00 votes; Lilja Rafney Magnúsdóttir (V), 2,987.33 votes; Teitur Björnsson (D), 3,298.17 votes; and Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir (D), 4,117.50 votes. Compensatory seats - Guðjón Brjánsson (S), 1,042.00 votes.
2013 Results of the 2013 parliamentary election held on 27 April 2013:
Party Votes % Seats Progressive Party B 6,104 35.17% 4 0 4 Independence Party D 4,282 24.67% 2 0 2 Social Democratic Alliance S 2,122 12.23% 1 0 1 Left-Green Movement V 1,470 8.47% 0 1 1 Bright Future A 792 4.56% 0 0 0 Rainbow J 774 4.46% 0 0 0 Pirate Party Þ 537 3.09% 0 0 0 Dawn T 328 1.89% 0 0 0 Rural Party M 326 1.88% 0 0 0 Iceland Democratic Party L 251 1.45% 0 0 0 Right-Green People's Party G 208 1.20% 0 0 0 Households Party I 161 0.93% 0 0 0Valid votes 17,355 100.00% 7 1 8Blank votes 432 2.42% Rejected votes – other 38 0.21% Total polled 17,825 83.61% Registered electors 21,318
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Ásmundur Einar Daðason (B), 5,314.6 votes; Einar Kristinn Guðfinnsson (D), 4,186.5 votes; Elsa Lára Arnardóttir (B), 4,581.0 votes; Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson (B), 6,078.0 votes; Guðbjartur Hannesson (S), 2,109.0 votes; Haraldur Benediktsson (D), 3,203.3 votes; and Jóhanna María Sigmundsdóttir (B), 3,821.4 votes. Compensatory seats - Lilja Rafney Magnúsdóttir (V), 1,460.0 votes.
2000s 2009 Results of the 2009 parliamentary election held on 25 April 2009:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 4,037 22.93% 2 0 2 Left-Green Movement V 4,018 22.82% 2 1 3 Social Democratic Alliance S 4,001 22.73% 2 0 2 Progressive Party B 3,967 22.53% 2 0 2 Liberal Party F 929 5.28% 0 0 0 Citizens' Movement O 587 3.33% 0 0 0 Democracy Movement P 66 0.37% 0 0 0Valid votes 17,605 100.00% 8 1 9Blank votes 558 3.06% Rejected votes – other 51 0.28% Total polled 18,214 85.54% Registered electors 21,293
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Ásbjörn Óttarsson (D), 3,950.0 votes; Einar Kristinn Guðfinnsson (D), 2,908.0 votes; Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson (B), 3,942.2 votes; Guðbjartur Hannesson (S), 3,959.2 votes; Guðmundur Steingrímsson (B), 2,929.5 votes; Jón Bjarnason (V), 3,871.0 votes; Lilja Rafney Magnúsdóttir (V), 3,344.8 votes; and Ólína Þorvarðardóttir (S), 2,900.0 votes. Compensatory seats - Ásmundur Einar Daðason (V), 2,703.5 votes.
2007 Results of the 2007 parliamentary election held on 12 May 2007:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 5,199 29.05% 3 0 3 Social Democratic Alliance S 3,793 21.19% 2 0 2 Progressive Party B 3,362 18.79% 1 0 1 Left-Green Movement V 2,855 15.95% 1 0 1 Liberal Party F 2,432 13.59% 1 1 2 Icelandic Movement – Living Country I 255 1.42% 0 0 0Valid votes 17,896 100.00% 8 1 9Blank votes 254 1.40% Rejected votes – other 28 0.15% Total polled 18,178 86.05% Registered electors 21,126
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Einar Kristinn Guðfinnsson (D), 4,348.7 votes; Einar Oddur Kristjánsson (D), 3,379.8 votes; Guðbjartur Hannesson (S), 3,772.0 votes; Guðjón Arnar Kristjánsson (F), 2,426.0 votes; Jón Bjarnason (V), 2,807.7 votes; Karl V. Matthíasson (S), 2,776.7 votes; Magnús Stefánsson (B), 3,347.3 votes; and Sturla Böðvarsson (D), 4,903.7 votes. Compensatory seats - Kristinn H. Gunnarsson (F), 1,812.7 votes.
2003 Results of the 2003 parliamentary election held on 10 May 2003:
Party Votes % Seats Independence Party D 5,532 29.57% 3 0 3 Social Democratic Alliance S 4,346 23.23% 2 0 2 Progressive Party B 4,057 21.68% 2 0 2 Liberal Party F 2,666 14.25% 1 1 2 Left-Green Movement U 1,987 10.62% 1 0 1 New Force N 122 0.65% 0 0 0Valid votes 18,710 100.00% 9 1 10Blank votes 245 1.29% Rejected votes – other 29 0.15% Total polled 18,984 89.35% Registered electors 21,247
The following candidates were elected: Constituency seats - Anna Kristín Gunnarsdóttir (S), 3,223.7 votes; Einar Oddur Kristjánsson (D), 3,664.3 votes; Einar Kristinn Guðfinnsson (D), 4,646.2 votes; Guðjón Arnar Kristjánsson (F), 2,666.0 votes; Jóhann Ársælsson (S), 4,285.0 votes; Jón Bjarnason (U), 1,970.7 votes; Kristinn H. Gunnarsson (B), 2,928.0 votes; Magnús Stefánsson (B), 4,017.5 votes; and Sturla Böðvarsson (D), 5,078.7 votes. Compensatory seats - Sigurjón Þórðarson (F), 1,993.2 votes.
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