Extreme Weather Impacts Democracy: Nearly 100 Global Elections Affected Over 20 Years
A report by International IDEA reveals that at least 94 elections in 52 countries have been disrupted by natural disasters over the past two decades, warning that climate change poses a growing threat to democratic processes.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 12:53
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(Stockholm, April 22nd - Comprehensive Foreign Dispatch) The threat to democracy from floods, wildfires, and extreme weather is intensifying. According to a study released today, at least 94 elections or referendums in 52 countries worldwide have been forced to pause or postpone due to natural disasters over the past 20 years.
AFP reports that the study, published by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to coincide with Earth Day on April 22nd, indicates that between 2006 and 2025, at least 26 elections and referendums were fully or partially postponed due to natural disasters.
The report points out that other elections and referendums had to be interrupted by floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, or landslides. At this time, human-caused climate change is gradually pushing up global temperatures and intensifying extreme weather.
The report, titled 'Managing Natural Hazards and Climate Risks in Elections,' notes that in 2024 alone, extreme weather affected 23 elections in 18 countries.
International IDEA stated: 'From hurricane-driven floods to wildfire heatwaves, these events destroy infrastructure, displace voters, and force electoral management bodies to make ad-hoc modifications to election processes.'
The report details cases of disaster impact, including the 2012 U.S. general election affected by Hurricane Sandy; the 2019 Mozambique election affected by a cyclone; the 2023 Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections hit by powerful earthquakes; the 2024 Bosnia local elections affected by floods and landslides; and the 2025 Philippines national and local elections struck by severe heatwaves.
'As climate-related risks intensify, pressure on already fragile democratic systems is expected to rise further,' the report notes.
Sarah Birch, a professor at King's College London, emphasized the importance of election timing. She said: 'Elections should be scheduled during periods with the lowest probability of disaster; in some cases, election authorities may need to adjust timelines to reduce the risk of interference from sudden disasters.'
The report cites Alberta, Canada, as an example, where the provincial legislature decided to move the scheduled May elections—normally held during wildfire season—to October starting in 2027.
Extreme weather not only makes holding elections harder but can also have long-term impacts on democracy. The report states: 'The insecurity and trauma caused by natural disasters can deepen existing grievances among victims, accelerate the spread of conspiracy theories, and bring more difficulties to the most vulnerable groups in society.'
The report emphasizes that democratic institutions, especially election systems, should be viewed as 'critical infrastructure vulnerable to environmental threats that requires special protection.'
Authors call on nations to include election processes within national climate adaptation and disaster risk mitigation strategies.
AFP reports that the study, published by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to coincide with Earth Day on April 22nd, indicates that between 2006 and 2025, at least 26 elections and referendums were fully or partially postponed due to natural disasters.
The report points out that other elections and referendums had to be interrupted by floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, or landslides. At this time, human-caused climate change is gradually pushing up global temperatures and intensifying extreme weather.
The report, titled 'Managing Natural Hazards and Climate Risks in Elections,' notes that in 2024 alone, extreme weather affected 23 elections in 18 countries.
International IDEA stated: 'From hurricane-driven floods to wildfire heatwaves, these events destroy infrastructure, displace voters, and force electoral management bodies to make ad-hoc modifications to election processes.'
The report details cases of disaster impact, including the 2012 U.S. general election affected by Hurricane Sandy; the 2019 Mozambique election affected by a cyclone; the 2023 Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections hit by powerful earthquakes; the 2024 Bosnia local elections affected by floods and landslides; and the 2025 Philippines national and local elections struck by severe heatwaves.
'As climate-related risks intensify, pressure on already fragile democratic systems is expected to rise further,' the report notes.
Sarah Birch, a professor at King's College London, emphasized the importance of election timing. She said: 'Elections should be scheduled during periods with the lowest probability of disaster; in some cases, election authorities may need to adjust timelines to reduce the risk of interference from sudden disasters.'
The report cites Alberta, Canada, as an example, where the provincial legislature decided to move the scheduled May elections—normally held during wildfire season—to October starting in 2027.
Extreme weather not only makes holding elections harder but can also have long-term impacts on democracy. The report states: 'The insecurity and trauma caused by natural disasters can deepen existing grievances among victims, accelerate the spread of conspiracy theories, and bring more difficulties to the most vulnerable groups in society.'
The report emphasizes that democratic institutions, especially election systems, should be viewed as 'critical infrastructure vulnerable to environmental threats that requires special protection.'
Authors call on nations to include election processes within national climate adaptation and disaster risk mitigation strategies.