The introduction of local political communities guided the rural democratisation process. From 1850, municipal matters were administered by a selected municipal committee, under their own responsibility. Their most important tasks included schooling, taking care of the poor, maintaining the road and path network, issuing rights of domicile, and tax matters.
Until 1907, the right to vote was reserved for property owners and the educated. The general, equal and direct right to vote for men and women was only introduced in 1918. In 1985, a woman was elected into the municipal council for the first time.