In The Hague, the city council, or municipal council represents the residents of The Hague. The municipal council and the municipal executive together govern the municipal administration.
The Hague municipal council comprises 45 members from 16 different political parties. They are elected every 4 years. GroenLinks currently has five city council members and is part of the municipal executive with two alder(wo)men.
The municipal council lays down the main principles of policy and checks whether the municipal executive is doing its job satisfactorily. The municipal executive implements the decisions taken. Major plans in the fields of, for example, spatial planning, the economy, welfare and traffic can be implemented only if approved by a majority of the Council. Read more about the city council here.
Everyone who has an EU passport, or has lived in The Netherlands legally for over five consecutive years, has the right to vote in the municipal elections in The Hague. To vote, you have to be registered as a resident in the city.
On the 16th of March 2022, local elections will be held throughout the Netherlands. On that day, everyone who lives in The Hague gets to decide what kind of city they want to live in. Most non-Dutch residents are allowed to vote for a new local council.
Non-Dutch nationals who are of age (18 or over) and who have lived in the Netherlands consecutively for the past 5 years (with a residence permit) are allowed to vote in municipal elections. Citizens of the European Union (EU) member states can vote in municipal council and European Parliament elections immediately upon moving to the Netherlands. You must be registered with the municipality by January 31, 2022.
At least 14 days before the election, all eligible voters automatically receive a personal voting pass (stempas) in the mail. Take this pass and valid proof of ID to any polling station within The Hague to vote on the day of the election. A passport, residence permit or driver’s license counts as valid proof of ID. Your pass proves to the polling station that you have not already voted that day as it has authenticity features and a unique number. You can go to any polling station in the city.
No. If you meet the eligibility requirements listed above you are automatically registered to vote.