Are you an international in Groningen? Come vote on the 18th of March at the municipal elections. It's your city too! Your vote helps to shape the city you want to live in. Check out our guide for more information.
Who can vote?
As an international living in Groningen you can vote when:
You are a EU citizen and you are registered as a resident in the municipality of Groningen.
You are a non-EU citizen and you have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years and are registered in the municipality of Groningen.
Why should you vote?
Your vote helps shape the city you want to live in! You vote for who gets to decide on:
- Housing
- Safety
- Green and healthy public spaces
- Sustainability
- Reducing poverty
- Groningen’s future
How to vote: 5 step guide
First time voting? No worries, we help you through the process. Step by step!
Tip: The election takes place on Wednesday, March 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Write it down in your agenda!
Step 1: Secure your voting pass
The municipality sends you a voting pass (stempas) by post, when you are allowed to vote. The envelop you will receive, entails a voting pas and a flyer with information on voting. The inhabitants of Groningen who are allowed to vote will receive their voting pass by physical post no later than the 23rd of February.
Tip: Keep your voting pass somewhere easy to find — you’ll need it to vote!
Step 2: Prepare — identity document
Check your identity document. You need to take it with you to be able to vote. Non-Dutch voters can use either a Dutch residence permit, or an identity document from another country:
Allowed documents include:
- A passport, identity card, or driving licence from another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway.
- A passport or identity card from Switzerland.
Step 3: Prepare — who to vote for?
Before you vote, you should carefully decide on who you want to vote for. You could do this by:
- Search online for the election manifestos
- Do the online VotePointer* (you have to translate the page, at the top right corner)
- Watch a debate
*VotePointer is an online voting tool that helps comparing your standpoints with those of political parties. By answering statements with "agree," "disagree," or "no opinion," you'll see which parties best align with your views. The goal is to gain insight into the election manifestos.
Step 4: Prepare — where to vote?
Decide where you want to vote. Your voting pass lists a polling station (stemlokaal) close to you. Would you like to vote at a different polling station? Visit waarismijnstemlokaal.nl for an overview of all polling stations in the municipality of Groningen.
Step 5: Vote!
On March 18, bring both your voting pass and your identity document with you to the polling station. The polling station staff will check both. At the polling station, you:
- Hand your voting pass to a staff member and show your identity document.
- You’ll then receive a ballot paper.
- Take the ballot paper into the voting booth (you go alone).
- Mark one red circle next to the candidate of your choice (you do this alone).
- Fold the ballot paper again and put it in the ballot box.
You've voted!
Groningen votes! Election debate for internationals
Date: Tuesday february, 24 (20:00 tot 21:30)
Location: Forum, Nieuwe Markt 1
Groningen votes! is all about getting familiar with municipal elections and this years candidates. Pitches will be given and questions can be asked. For more information, go to the webpage of the event: Groningen votes! Election debate for internationals.
Questions about the election? Visit gemeente.groningen.nl/verkiezingen or call 14 050.