Expat voting rights

Although “the ballot is stronger than the
bullet” (Abraham Lincoln), most elections in the
Netherlands are not open for the local expatriate
community.

In municipal elections, expats have the right to
participate as long as they are registered. The
same applies to Dutch citizens and EU citizens
but not for embassy and consular staff. Non-EU
citizens must have lived in the Netherlands
uninterrupted for at least five years.

In the elections for the Council of Europe, EU
citizens are eligible to vote either in their country
of origin (local candidates) or in the Netherlands
(Dutch candidates).

Please note that in both cases participants have
to be over 18 and not lost their right to vote.

On the other hand, expats in the Netherlands are
not eligible to vote for either Parliamentary or
Provincial elections.


Dutch elections overview

Upper House (Senate) (next: May 23rd 2011)
› Once every four years
› Within three months of the Provincial elections
› Indirect vote

Lower House (next: May 11th 2011)
› Once every four years
› Participant requirements:
- Over 18 years old
- Dutch nationals only
- Voting eligibility

Provincial council (next: March 2nd 2011)
› Once every four years
› Twelve provinces in the Netherlands: Drenthe,
Flevoland, Fryslan, Gelderland, Groningen,
Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland,
Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland
› Number and “vote value” of provincial council
members depends on the number of inhabitants
› Upper House members are elected by
provincial council
› Direct vote
› Participant requirements:
- Over 18 years old
- Dutch nationals only
- Voting eligibility

Municipal council
› Once every four years
› Over 400 municipalities in the Netherlands
› Number of municipal councillors (always odd
number) depends on the number of inhabitants
› Participant requirements:
- Over 18 years old
- Voting elegibility
- Registration required
- Non-EU citizens must have lived in the
Netherlands uninterrupted for at least five years

European Parliament (www.coe.int)
› 25 seats to be distributed
› EU citizens vote either in their country of origin
or in the Netherlands

Largest active political parties in the
Netherlands

› Christen Democratisch Appèl (CDA) - Christian
Democratic Appeal
› ChristenUnie (CU) - ChristianUnion
› Democraten 66 (D66) - Democrats 66
› GroenLinks - GreenLeft
› Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA) - The Dutch Labour
Party
› Partij voor de Dieren (PvdD) - Party for the
Animals
› Partij voor de Vrijheid (PVV) - Party for
Freedom
› Socialische Partij (SP) - The Dutch Socialist
Party
› Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij (SGP) -
Reformed Political Party
› Trots op Nederland
› Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (VVD) - People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy


Voting pass

A “voting pass” will be mailed (post) by the local
municipality to all residents that are entitled to
vote. Note that:
› The voting pass is absolutely necessary in
order to vote at the numerous polling stations
› Appointing someone else to vote on one’s
behalf is possible

In case the voting pass is lost or damaged:
› Download a replacement voting pass form
› Submit the voting pass form at a sub-municipal
office
› Provide a valid proof of identity (not a driving
license)


Useful links
› The Dutch Elections Act
› Dutch election results since 1918
› DenHaag.nl
› Kiesraad.nl