Municipal Council Elections 2026

On Wednesday, 18 March 2026, the Municipal Council elections will take place in Oegstgeest. As a resident of Oegstgeest with a non-Dutch background, you are also entitled to vote in these local elections. The municipality greatly values your involvement in our village and warmly encourages you to cast your vote.

Polling stations in Oegstgeest are open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. You can vote at any polling station within the municipality. The Municipal Council makes decisions about important matters in your daily living environment, such as parks, schools, roads, culture, sustainability, housing, healthcare, waste reduction, social welfare and the local economy. By voting, you help shape the future of Oegstgeest.

Who Can Vote?

You can vote in the Municipal Council Elections if you:

• Are registered as a resident of Oegstgeest on the reference date (2 February 2026 for the 2026 elections);
• Are 18 years or older on election day;
  
  And
• Have Dutch nationality; or
• Are a citizen of another EU country; or
• Are a non-EU citizen with a valid residence permit and have legally lived in the Netherlands for at least five years.

If you moved after the reference date but received a voter card for Oegstgeest, you can only vote in Oegstgeest.

Voter Card and Identification

Before the election, you will receive a voter card (stempas) by post.

To vote, you must bring:

• Your voter card; and
• A valid photo ID (passport, identity card or driving licence). Your ID may be expired for up to five years.

Without these documents, you cannot vote.

Where and When to Vote

On election day, polling stations in Oegstgeest are open from 07:30 to 21:00. You may vote at any polling station within the municipality of Oegstgeest. Several locations are wheelchair accessible

How to Vote

At the polling station:

1. Show your voter card and ID.
2. You will receive a ballot paper.
3. Mark your choice in the voting booth.
4. Place your ballot in the ballot box.

You may also cast a blank vote. A blank vote counts towards turnout but is not assigned to a candidate.

Proxy Voting (Volmacht)

If you cannot vote in person on election day, you may authorise someone else to vote on your behalf. This is called proxy voting (volmacht).

The person who votes for you must:

• Be eligible to vote;
• Vote in Oegstgeest;
• Cast your vote at the same time as their own vote.

Arranging a Proxy

There are two ways to arrange a proxy:

1. Via your voter card

You complete and sign the back of your voter card together with the person who will vote for you. The proxy must bring:

• Your voter card (with signatures);
• A copy of your ID;
• Their own voter card and ID.

2. Written proxy request

If you cannot arrange this using your voter card (for example, if you are abroad), you can apply for a written proxy request with the municipality. The proxy will then receive a proxy certificate by post.

The deadline for applying for a written proxy for the Municipal Council Elections of 18 March 2026 is 13 March 2026.

Replacement Voter Card

If you lose your voter card or did not receive it, you can request a replacement voter card.

You can request a replacement:

• Online using DigiD from 2 March until 13 March 2026; or
• In person at the Town Hall until 17 March 2026 at 12:00 (no appointment required).

Once a replacement voter card has been issued, your original card is no longer valid.

Voting with a Disability

The municipality aims to make voting accessible for everyone.

Support includes:

• Polling stations that are accessible for wheelchair users;
• A polling station at the Town Hall equipped for voters with visual impairments (including audio support and ballot guides);
• Remote sign language interpretation for voters who are deaf or hard of hearing;
• Easy-to-read election guides.

If you need assistance at the polling station, you may ask a polling station worker for help.