Municipal elections 2026
General
The municipal council elections will be held on Wednesday, March 18. On that day, the residents of West Maas en Waal will elect the members of the municipal council. The municipal council is there for all residents of West Maas en Waal. The council consists of various (local) political parties, and together they determine what happens in our municipality.
These municipal elections are held once every four years in the Netherlands. Polling stations will be open on March 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
For more information, visit the website of the Electoral Council at .
Help out during the elections and become a polling station worker
On Wednesday, March 18, millions of Dutch citizens will elect new municipal councils. To ensure that this process runs smoothly and fairly, we are looking for enthusiastic people who are willing to help out at the polling stations.
As a polling station worker, you will play an important role in the election process. You will welcome voters, check voting passes and ID cards, hand out ballots, and help count the votes at the end of the day.
Available functions
- Chairperson (also present during counting)
- Member of the polling station (also present during counting)
- Counter
Availability
- If you choose a morning position, you will be available from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- If you choose a position in the afternoon, you will be available from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- If you choose the position of counter, you must be available after 9:00 p.m. until the end of the count.
Compensation
The amount of the compensation per part of the day is as follows:
- Chairperson €140
- Polling station official €120
- Counter €75
Please note:
All chairpersons and polling station officials will also assist in counting the votes after 9:00 p.m.!
Sign up
You can easily register using the digital form.
Declaration of support
Would you like to help a political party participate in the municipal elections on March 18? If so, you can submit a declaration of support. You can do this at the town hall in Beneden-Leeuwen.
What is a declaration of support?
A declaration of support indicates that you support a party participating in the election. This is necessary if the party:
- participating for the first time
- did not hold a seat in the previous election
- participates with a blank list (without a party name)
You may only submit a declaration of support for one party per election. Please note: a declaration of support cannot be withdrawn.
Who is permitted to make a statement?
You may make a statement of support if you:
- is eligible to vote in this election
- is registered in the municipality of West Maas en Waal
Are you on a list as a candidate? Then you may also sign a declaration of support. You must be registered as a voter in the relevant municipality.
When and where?
You can submit a statement of support at the town hall from Monday, January 19, through Monday, February 2. No appointment is necessary.
What are you bringing?
- A valid form of identification
- The completed, unsigned declaration of support (model H4)
You sign the declaration of support at the town hall, in the presence of a civil servant.
Election advertising
Would you like to promote your political party? Below you can read about the options available. We will install the signs no later than week 8.
Locations for political party posters
| Location | Location |
|---|---|
| Alphen | Corner of Citadel Street and Driehuizen Street |
| Altforst | Corner of Kerkstraat and Heppertsestraat |
| Appeltern | Corner of Kerkstraat and Van der Capellenstraat |
| Lower Leeuwen | Corner of Zandstraat and Zijveld |
| Upper Lions | Short Street |
| Dreumel | Rooijsestraat near Nieuwstraat (near the Roman Catholic cemetery) |
| Maasbommel | Corner of Hoge Hofstraat and Kapelstraat |
| Wamel | Corner of Kerkstraat and Hogeweg |
Dimensions of the signs
- 2.44 x 3.66 meters
Sandwich and/or triangular signs
For the placement of sandwich and/or triangular signs, there is a prior notification requirement for up to 20 signs per party in the entire municipality. All rules can be found in the Policy Rules for Election Advertising 2021.
Posting sandwich and/or triangular signs
Advertising inside and outside the polling station
No activities aimed at influencing voters in their choice may take place at the polling station.
For more information about the rules inside and outside the polling station, visit www.kiesraad.nl.
Information prior to voting
Before you can vote, there are a number of practical matters that you need to arrange. Whether you are abroad, temporarily staying in another municipality, or need assistance with voting, there are clear rules to ensure that your vote is counted correctly and securely.
Who is eligible to vote?
Anyone who is registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) in West Maas en Waal on February 2, 2026, and:
- On March 18, 2026, 18 years of age or older
- Dutchman is
- No one is excluded from the right to vote.
For more information, visit the website of the Electoral Council at .
When will I receive my voting pass?
You will receive your voting pass no later than 14 days before election day.
Did not receive or lost your voting pass
Have you not received your voting pass? Or have you lost your voting pass? Then request a new voting pass.
In writing
- Request the voting pass in writing from the municipality. This is the municipality where you are registered on February 2, 2026.
- Please include a copy of your ID.
- The municipality must receive your application by March 13, 2026, at the latest.
Visiting the municipality in person
- You can also visit the municipality to request a new voting pass. This can be done until March 17, 2026, 12:00 noon at the latest. Please bring your ID with you.
- You must make an appointment for this.
Can someone else vote for me?
Are you unable to vote in person in the municipal elections on Wednesday, March 18, 2026? If so, you can authorize someone else to vote on your behalf. This is known as voting by proxy.
How does it work?
You authorize another voter to vote on your behalf. This person is called the proxy. The proxy:
- may vote for a maximum of 2 other people,
- must cast the proxy vote(s) at the same time as his or her own vote.
You can authorize someone in two ways:
- With a written power of attorney (apply in advance).
- Via the back of your voting pass (from mid-October).
Written power of attorney
Are you going to be abroad for an extended period of time? Or do you not have your voting pass yet? Then a written proxy is useful. You must request this in advance.
Please note:
- Your application must be received by the municipality no later than Friday, March 13, 2026.
- With a written power of attorney, the authorized representative does not need to show a copy of your ID.
Request for written power of attorney
- Download theapplication form 'written power of attorney'.
- You and the authorized representative fill out the form and both sign it.
- Send the form to the municipality of West Maas en Waal.
Important: you must still be registered in West Maas en Waal on February 2, 2026.
Once the application has been approved, the authorized representative will receive a power of attorney certificate.
Authorize via the back of the voting pass
From March 2026, you will be able to authorize someone to vote on your behalf. To do so, you must have received a voting pass.
- Fill in the back of your voting pass.
- Give the completed voting pass to the person you authorize.
- On election day, this person will take your voting pass and a copy of your ID to the polling station.
I am abroad, can I still vote?
Temporarily abroad
Will you be temporarily abroad on Wednesday, March 18, 2026? For example, for work, study, or vacation? And are you still registered in a Dutch municipality, such as West Maas en Waal? Then you can still vote.
You can authorize someone in the Netherlands to vote on your behalf. This is called voting by written proxy. That person must also vote themselves. You can apply for a written proxy at the municipality where you are registered.
Staying abroad
Do you no longer live in the Netherlands and have you been removed from the BRP? Then you cannot vote in the municipal elections.
Blank votes and invalid votes
Blank vote
A blank vote means that the ballot paper is completely empty. This means that no circle has been colored in, either completely or partially, and nothing else has been written on the ballot paper. A blank vote counts towards the turnout for the election, but has no influence on the outcome of the election and the electoral quotient. Only votes cast for candidates count towards this. A blank vote does not therefore go to the largest party.
Invalid vote
A vote is invalid in the following cases:
- It is unclear who you are voting for, for example because you have colored in multiple circles.
- Something has been written on the ballot paper that could reveal your identity.
- No red dot was made, but the voter did write or sign on the ballot paper.
- The ballot paper has not been filled in with red ink.
An invalid vote also counts towards the turnout for the election, but does not affect the outcome of the election or the electoral quotient. Only votes cast for candidates count towards this.
If a voter makes a mistake when filling out their ballot paper, they return it to the chairperson. The chairperson renders this ballot paper unusable and gives them a new one (once).
Blank and invalid votes only count towards turnout.
Blank votes and invalid votes do not affect the outcome of the election, but they do count towards determining the turnout: the number of people who came to the polling station to vote.
The polling stations and main polling stations shall record the number of blank votes and the number of invalid votes separately in the minutes of the meeting.
See also the information on the website of the Electoral Council.
Who can I vote for?
Central electoral committee meetings
Closed session of the central electoral committee
The central electoral committee will announce when and where an important meeting will take place. During this meeting, the submitted candidate lists will be examined. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 3, at 4:00 p.m. and is closed to the public.
Public meeting of the central electoral committee
The central electoral committee will announce when and where an important meeting will take place. During this meeting, the candidate lists and numbering will be determined. The meeting will be held on Friday, February 6, at 5:00 p.m. in the town hall. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Public hearing of the central electoral committee
The central electoral committee will announce when and where an important meeting will take place. During this meeting, the results of the elections will be determined.
The meeting will take place on Thursday, March 26, at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Public meeting of the municipal electoral committee
The municipal electoral committee will announce when and where an important meeting will take place. The municipal electoral committee will determine the total number of votes in the municipality for each candidate and each list.
The meeting will take place on Thursday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Information during voting
To ensure that you can vote smoothly and without stress, it is useful to know what to expect once you enter the polling station.
Where can I vote?
Polling stations open on March 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Go to your local polling station and cast your vote there.
| Alphen | De Hucht Village Hall, School Street 4 |
| Altforst | De Uithof Village Hall, 12 Kerk Street |
| Appeltern | De Schuur Village Hall, Kerkstraat 25 |
| Lower Leeuwen | Inn De Linden, Sand Street 100 |
| Lower Leeuwen | MFA de Rosmolen, Leliestraat 19 |
| Lower Leeuwen | Town hall, Dijkstraat 11 |
| Upper Lions | Kulturhus D’n Dulper, 5 Pastoor Schoenmakers Street |
| Dreumel | MFA D’n Hoender, 10 Nieuwstraat |
| Dreumel | Zaal 't Centrum, 48 Rooijsestraat |
| Maasbommel | MFA het Hanzehuys, Bennenmaker 15 |
| Wamel | VTC Wamel, Clarissen Street 2 |
All polling stations are accessible to people with disabilities.
What should I bring to the polling station?
To vote, you need a voting pass and proof of identity. You can bring one of the following forms of proof of identity:
- passport;
- identity card;
- driver's license from the Netherlands;
- a valid residence permit.
Voters with dual nationality can also identify themselves with a passport, identity card, or driver's license from an EEA country or a passport or identity card from Switzerland.
Voting with an expired passport or identity card
Your identity document may be expired for a maximum of 5 years.
Do you not have proof of identity, or has it expired more than 5 years ago? And are you unable to apply for new proof of identity in time? Then you can ask someone else to vote for you with a written proxy.
Identity document stolen or lost
Has your ID been stolen or have you lost it? With a statement of loss issued by the municipality, you can still vote. Be sure to bring a card with your photo on it, such as a personalized public transport chip card.
I have a question, how do I contact you?
Ask your question via verkiezingen@westmaasenwaal.nl.