On Tuesday, March 3, young residents of Arnhem gathered at Rozet for the Time2Vote Party. The evening focused on the municipal elections of March 18 and targeted mainly first-time young voters. In an energetic setting with Deejay Calderon, rapper ONAV, and dance by Ruben Chi, discussions were held about how elections work and the influence of your vote.
The boxing ring as a stage for debate
The highlight of the evening was a boxing ring in the middle of the room. There, young people engaged in conversations about statements and themes that affect them. The format created dynamism and involvement: participants literally stepped forward to share their opinions or to listen to others.
The discussions showed that topics such as opportunities, safety, and equal treatment are important to young people. Between the interactive parts, ProDemos explained how the municipal council works and how to make a choice when voting.
Make your voice heard
Mayor Ahmed Marcouch spoke with young people about his first voting experience and the importance of participation. Mayor Ahmed Marcouch: ‘Our democracy only lives if people participate. And on March 18, making your voice heard during the municipal elections is participation in its purest form. In fact: with your vote, you directly influence how Arnhem will look.’
The Night Vote
The Time2Vote Party is part of a series of activities leading up to the elections. On March 17, The Night Vote takes place at Luxor Live: an evening with Arnhem acts, DJs, and live music, combined with a nighttime polling station. Exactly at midnight, Mayor Ahmed Marcouch opens the polling station, and residents of Arnhem can be among the first to cast their votes for the municipal elections. We invite all of Arnhem to make their voices heard that evening. This can be done in many ways during The Night Vote.