If there are elections, Wednesday is the day on which voters can vote in the Netherlands. Why is Wednesday the day to vote in the Netherlands? Due to religion, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are excluded anyway. The only exception is that for elections to the European Parliament, the voting day is Thursday.
Election Voting Pass
Some weeks before the election we received by mail a voting pass and an overview of a candidate list of political parties. In the Netherlands, we have an overload of political parties. On the day of the election, we have to go to a polling station. To vote we have to bring our voting pass and an ID. An ID is a passport, identity card, or driver’s license. If we can’t go ourselves to vote we can authorize another person to vote for us. Anyone aged eighteen or older with Dutch nationality is entitled to vote.
Political issues, election action points
The most important political positions are the energy crisis, the sky-high inflation, the asylum crisis, the nitrogen crisis, the crisis of confidence, and the war in Ukraine. The current Dutch government has lost a lot of voter confidence due to the situation in Groningen gas extraction and the situation with the tax surcharge law. There is a huge shortage of homes in the Netherlands and the homes that become available are expensive and unaffordable for many people. Also purchasing power is an important issue.
And if we can make up our minds about which party to choose? We go to the internet and get some help to make up our minds. We fill in what we think is best about the current common issues and find out what political party fits us best.
➔ Voting? Which political party is the best for me and the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is a democracy
The Netherlands is a democracy and as many voters as possible should have the opportunity to vote. That is why there are polling stations in many locations. Polling places are in schools, community centers, city halls, and even at train stations. Wednesday is the day that puts the least strain on these locations.
Polling stations
Polling stations are manned by volunteers who follow an introductory course.
In 2023, on Wednesday 15 March, there will be the Provincial States elections and water board elections and the representatives of the people are elected.
Counting the votes
After the ballot boxes have closed, the voluntary members at the polling stations start counting the votes cast, voting passes, voter passes, and proxies.
Elections in the Netherlands
What elections are there in the Netherlands and when are these elections?
Those entitled to vote can vote during the elections for the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Provincial Council, water boards, municipal councils, and the European Parliament. The European elections are every 5 years, all other elections are every 4 years.
The First Chamber elections are on 30 May 2023
European elections are on June 6, 2024
The second chamber elections are on February 3, 2025
The Provincial Council elections influence national politics. All provinces together elect the 75 members of the Senate, who monitor the government and approve or reject bills.
The political system in the Netherlands in a nutshell.
A tiny explanation of the Dutch political system. If you like to know more about our political system visit the website of the Dutch government. Here you find a clear explanation of how politics in the Netherlands works.
➔ Everything you always wanted to know about the Dutch Government
What is the Dutch government, “de Regering”?
The King and the Council of Ministers form together the Dutch government.
The ministers and prime minister are the council of ministers.
What is the Cabinet, “Het Kabinet”?
The ministers and state secretaries are the cabinet.
What is Parliament?
In the Netherlands, the parliament is called the States General. The States General consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate, the House of Representatives has more rights than the Senate.
What is the First Room, “Eerste Kamer”, the Senate?
The members of the Senate are elected by the members of the twelve Provincial Councils. The citizens elect the Provincial Council and the members of the Provincial Council in turn elect the members of the Senate.
What is the Second Room? Tweede Kamer, the House of Representatives?
The second chamber is elected by the Dutch voters during the national elections. The House of Representatives makes new laws together with the government and checks whether the government is doing its job properly.
The Parliaments, or the Staten Generaal, or The First Chamber and The Second Chamber, are located in The Hague at the Binnenhof. The Senate meets in a beautiful centuries-old meeting room, which was built in the past for the States of Holland.
