This was my first time voting, and it was incredible.

Voting Process

I am a Pakistani, and I do not hold a Dutch citizenship. And as per the laws, non-Dutch citizens are allowed, and invited to vote for the local municipal (council) elections. The rules are clear and simple, for non-Dutch citizens, adults who have lived legally for the last 5 years can vote.

The invite is a voting pass that you receive, and if you are multiple people living at the address who qualify for the invite you will receive multiple invite passes.

The election took place on Wednesday 18th March, 2026. The polling stations are open from morning until late at night (9pm in most cases). I visited the polling station after office, so about 6pm and it was a very simple and straight-forward procedure.

I visited the station, I handed in the invite pass and they checked my ID to make sure I am the right person casting a vote. Then they handed me a ballot paper. I headed to the voting counter, casted my vote on the paper and then dropped the paper in the “trash bin”. It was a very funny feeling that you drop your vote in a trash can.

And you are done. The entire process takes really short, and since the polling stations can be close by to your home you can just go for a walk with your children.

I found my closest polling station online, and it was less than 500 meters away from you. The website Where Is My Polling Station gives information about polling stations and you can simply find the station on the map.

The results take a few more time, but the results start to appear online and the leading parties are announced soon after the voting is done.

Be Responsible

While voting does seem like it does not really bring a change. The responsible thing to do is to cast a vote. Even if you cast a vote for someone who doesn’t have the biggest change on their agenda. If you believe in that person, go vote for them.

And for the winning parties, you have to deliver the dream you communicated.