Much preparation goes into elections. On the day itself and the months after, there is much to do. Who ensures the elections run as smoothly as possible? We take a look behind the scenes. This time: inside the polling station. Mika Tretmans tells his story.
Mika lives and studies in Amsterdam. Last year he worked as a polling station member during the House of Representatives elections in Amsterdam-East. On March 18, during the municipal, district, and administrative committee elections, he will be there again, this time at Rembrandtplein. He enjoys helping out: “Such a day flies by, especially if you have a nice team. And it’s a nice side income.”
Preparation
Mika: “On election day you start very early. Around 6:45 AM you must be present. You discuss who does what and check if all materials are available. You put up signs to guide voters to the polling location and check if the tables and chairs are in the right place. The voting booths and ballot boxes are usually already set up.”
Accessibility
“You also check if everyone can easily reach the location. So also people who have difficulty walking, come with a walker or wheelchair, or otherwise. And if help is needed and how you can provide it. Last time we made sure one of us was always outside near the entrance to guide people to the elevator. That way you could lend a hand if needed.”
Voting
Everyone who wants to vote must bring an identity document, such as an ID card or passport, and the voting pass or passes. Mika: “We check if the ID matches the data on the voting passes and scan the passes. If everything is correct, the voter receives a ballot. Does it sometimes not match? Yes, for example if someone applied for a new voting pass because they did not receive one. The old pass is then invalidated. But sometimes it arrives late and the voter brings it. That person is not allowed to vote and must go home to get the new pass.”
He adds: “And some people are a bit careless. They come with their son’s or daughter’s pass, or a voting pass from the previous elections. Well, then we really have to send them home again.”
Exceptions
Does it sometimes go differently? Mika: “There are always exceptions. Voting is private, so in principle no one may accompany you into the voting booth. But people who cannot see well or at all may bring someone. And small children may also come along briefly. So you have to watch for that and consult if necessary.”
End of the day: counting votes
After the polling stations close, counting begins. Additional counters join because otherwise it takes too long. “Everyone gets a stack of ballots and sorts them by party. Then you recount someone else’s stack. The number of ballots must exactly match the number of scans. If there is a difference, you count again. That can last late into the evening. Then the chairperson brings the ballots to a central location. The next day the ballots are checked and it is also counted who exactly voted.”
Who works at the polling station?
- Chairperson: responsible for the voting and counting process at the polling station.
- Deputy chairperson: replaces the chairperson during absence and breaks, and supports the chairperson with tasks such as opening and closing the polling station.
- Polling station member: has various tasks at the polling station and counts votes at 9 PM.
- Counter: helps polling station members in the evening with counting votes.
- Counting leader: ensures the counting process runs well and guides the counting together with the chairperson.