How can you vote in the Netherlands?

If you are eligible to vote, a voter card will be sent to your address before the election. You can vote at the polling station with this card.

Did you not receive your voter card or have you lost it? Then contact your municipality and request a new one. This can be done by post or phone.

This is what it says on your voter card

Your voter card contains your personal information, a number and the name of your municipality. On the back is information to authorise someone else. This means that you can give someone permission to vote for you.

A polling station is the place where you vote during elections. Every municipality has several polling stations. Often these are libraries, community centres or other public places.

Here you can check where you can vote.

You can also vote in another municipality

Are you unable to vote in your own municipality? Then you can also vote in another municipality. You must first apply to your own municipality for a voter card. This can be done by post or telephone. With a voter card you can vote anywhere in the Netherlands. You can apply for a voter card in writing until no later than five days before the election, and verbally until 12:00 noon on the day before the election, at your own municipality.

This is what you should bring to the polling station

• Your voter card.

• A valid proof of identity (passport, identity card, driver's licence or residence permit).

You may not vote without a voter card or ID.

This is how you vote at the polling station

At the polling station you hand in your voter card. The staff will check your ID. Then you get a ballot paper and a red pencil. The ballot paper lists all the parties and candidates. You go to the voting booth alone. Voting is secret, no one can see who you are voting for. In the voting booth you colour one circle red by the name of the person you want to vote for. When you are done, put the ballot in the ballot box.

You can bring someone with you to the polling station

You may bring someone with you to the polling station to help you. For example, if you have trouble reading or writing.

Small children or a service dog may also come along, if necessary.

Are you unable to vote yourself? Then someone else may do this for you. This is called authorisation.

• Fill out the back of your voting card.

• Write the name and address of the person you are authorising.

• You and the authorised representative must both sign.

You can also choose to leave your vote blank. This means you turn in your ballot without colouring a box red.

A blank vote counts toward the total number of votes, but does not go to any party or candidate.

You may make only one box red on the ballot paper. What happens if you make more boxes red, or write or draw something on the ballot paper? Then your vote is invalid. An invalid vote only counts for turnout, but not for a party or candidate.

Did you accidentally make a mistake? Then you may request a new ballot paper once from the polling station staff.

Demonstrating or taking action at the polling station is also not allowed.

Do you not live in the Netherlands and still want to vote in Dutch elections? Then you have to register once as a voter with the municipality of The Hague.

From abroad, you can vote for:

• The members of the House of Representatives.

• The European Parliament.

• The electoral college for non-residents for the Senate.

Via this site you can register r as a voter outside the Netherlands.