5 municipalities vote with a smaller and more handy ballot paper during the European Parliament election | News item

News item | 11-03-2024 | 06:30

In the five municipalities where the experiment is being conducted, voters vote with a different ballot paper than in the rest of the Netherlands. The votes cast with the new ballot paper will count towards the outcome of the European Parliament election. It is the first experiment with the new ballot paper. However, various tests have previously been carried out with this new model of ballot paper.

Minister de Jonge: “Elections are the basis of our democracy. It is important that every voter can cast his or her vote. With this smaller and more handy ballot paper we want to make the elections even more accessible. I am pleased that these five municipalities are participating in the experiment with a smaller and more convenient model of ballot paper during the European Parliament elections. If the experiment goes well, we want to amend the law as quickly as possible so that everyone can vote with the new ballot paper during the municipal elections in 2026.”

Why a new ballot?

A new ballot paper is necessary because the current ballot paper is large and therefore difficult for voters, but also for polling station members, to read and handle. Municipalities have also been asking for the development of a new ballot paper that is easier and faster to count for some time. The new model of ballot paper that will soon be experimented with is much smaller and easier to use. The new ballot paper is also more accessible for voters with a visual impairment, because it is easier to use in combination with an aid, such as a voting template and audio support. In addition, displaying party logos on the ballot paper also promotes accessibility.

Smaller and handier

The model ballot paper being experimented with has an A3 format. The top half shows the logos and names of the parties. The bottom half contains candidate numbers. There are no names of candidates on the ballot paper. The voter will find the names of the candidates in an overview of candidates that is located in every voting booth, hangs in every polling station and that every voter receives at home before election day. The voter makes his choice by coloring in the box for a party and then coloring the box for a candidate from that party. The model ballot paper being experimented with has been extensively tested in recent years with different target groups. Based on these tests, the ballot paper has been improved to the current model of a new ballot paper that is being experimented with.

What does this mean for the voter?

The new ballot paper requires a different way of voting than the voter is used to. That is why voters in the five participating municipalities will be extensively informed about the new ballot paper in the coming months. There will also be test voting moments in every municipality to practice with the new ballot paper. This can also be done online via www.weegstemnoten.nl. In addition, an additional polling station member will be present at each polling station on election day who can explain the new ballot paper. This polling station member will receive additional training to explain the new ballot paper. Voters are actively asked whether they are familiar with the new ballot paper and it is also possible to practice with it at the polling station.

Evaluation

Afterwards, the experiment is carefully evaluated. This includes the experiences with the new ballot paper of voters, polling station members and the municipality. The evaluation of the experiment will be shared with the House of Representatives. If the new model ballot paper is well received, the plan is to then adjust the law so that everyone can vote with the new ballot paper during the municipal elections in 2026.