The Dutch House of Representatives elections are just under one week away. Residents of The Hague can cast their votes at 270 polling stations across the city, including City Hall, community centers, and schools. But what are the most unique locations in The Hague to cast your vote on October 29th?
One special location is the WerkTalent stadium (ADO Den Haag). Voting is possible here for the first time this year. Afterward, you can walk through the players’ tunnel and take a photo along the sidelines. Residents of The Hague can also vote in the House of Representatives. It’s also possible to take a tour of the House of Representatives building that day. This year, for the first time in years, voting will be possible inside Central Station instead of outside. This is the busiest polling station in The Hague.
Next to the WerkTalent stadium, the Oranjehotel National Monument is a new location. In collaboration with the Anne Frank House, voters will receive a special red pencil with a quote from Anne Frank after casting their ballot. This pencil gives visitors free admission to the museum.
Museum-Omniversum is another new location where, after voting, you can visit the museum or watch a film for free. Besides voting adults, children can also cast their votes there. Not for a political party, but for an animal they’d most like to see in a future cabinet. The idea is to introduce children to democracy in an accessible way.
Furthermore, the oldest book museum in the Netherlands, “Huis van het Boek,” is now a voting location for the first time. Voters may visit the museum by presenting their voting card.
This year, there will again be several youth polling stations. In 2023, Stagehuis Schilderswijk came up with the idea of having young people take over a polling station. This led to the “Own Your Polling Station” initiative, in collaboration with the municipality of The Hague. These Own Your Polling Stations are located at five locations: Theater de Vaillant (organized by Stagehuis Schilderswijk), The Hague University of Applied Sciences, InHolland, ROC Mondriaan Aspasialaan, and Wijkz Moerwijk. At these locations, young people are polling station members, provide pre-promotion, and decorate the polling station.
If you are eligible to vote in this election you will have received your Stempas in the mail.
More information about the elections can be found at www.denhaag.nl/verkiezingen .
Text: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English & Images: The Hague Online