Voters elected representatives to municipal and county councils, which are responsible for education, public transport, health, and elderly care, and for the levy of certain taxes.

Despite the formal date of the mergers being 1 January 2020, the election proceeded with the new borders and divisions as the term of office began the same day.

The political parties in five municipalities in Finnmark county (Alta, Karasjok, Kautokeino, Kvænangen and Loppa) cancelled all their campaigning following a helicopter crash in Alta on 31 August.

Vestland consists of the former counties of Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane.

According to Statistisk sentralbyrå, a total of 59.61 million NOK in campaign contributions was raised by all political parties in 2019.