The main aim of the county administrative board – a government agency headed by a governor – is to fulfil the goals set out in national politics by the Riksdag and the government, to coordinate the interests of the county, to promote the development of the county, to establish regional goals and safeguard the due process of law in the handling of each case.

The table details all Riksdag election results of Västernorrland County since the unicameral era began in 1970.

Västernorrland then included parts of Sweden north of the city of Gävle, except Jämtland and Härjedalen – which belonged to Norway – and except Finland.

The "west" in its name (väster) arose due to the fact that, at the time, Norrland was a much larger region, including northern Finland as well.

Local public transport in the county is provided by Din Tur.