Haarlem breaks 28-year turnout record in municipal elections as GROENLINKS/PvdA leads
Haarlem’s municipal elections saw a record 57% turnout—the highest since 1998—with GROENLINKS/PvdA emerging as the frontrunner. Provisional results are in, but final confirmation awaits on 26 March. Residents can still report counting errors or attend the public confirmation event.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Election Date | 18 March 2026 |
| Final Results Confirmation | 26 March 2026, 15:00 (Town Hall, Haarlem) |
| Turnout | 57% (73,914 voters) – Highest since 1998 |
| Eligible Voters | 129,000+ |
| Leading Party | GROENLINKS / Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA) |
| Runner-ups | D66, VVD |
| Polling Stations | 89 |
| Central Counting Location | Kennemersporthal |
| Provisional Results | Available here |
| Report Counting Errors | Form available here |
| Prokkel Duos Initiative | 500 duos across 200 Dutch municipalities promoting inclusivity at polling stations |
The Municipality of Haarlem is responsible for organizing and overseeing local elections, ensuring transparency and accessibility in the democratic process. This includes managing polling stations, counting votes, and publishing results to maintain public trust in municipal governance.
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Read the full translated article below
Liveblog municipal council elections - liveblog closed
On 18 March 2026, the municipal council elections were held. On this page, we shared news such as turnout figures and the provisional results. The final results will be confirmed on 26 March.
Votes per candidate have been counted
The votes per candidate have been counted. A report has also been drawn up for each polling station detailing how the voting process went. You can view the reports on our Extranet (external link). You can also view the full report from the Municipal Polling Station (external link) (report and counting results per list and candidate).
If you believe a counting error has been made during the counting of the votes, you can report this using the Report counting error and report form
On Thursday 26 March at 15:00, the final results will be confirmed in the council chamber of the town hall. Anyone who wishes to attend may do so.
All results are now known, so we are closing this liveblog. We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments via our website.
Central counting at the Kennemersporthal
Today (Thursday 19 March), a large portion of the votes per candidate are being counted at the Kennemersporthal. A report is also being drawn up here for each polling station detailing how the voting process went.
We expect the counting and preparation of the reports to be completed by Friday 20 March.
Provisional results
The provisional results are now known. GROENLINKS / Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA) received the most votes, followed by D66 and the VVD.
Below are the provisional results per party (the parties are listed in the same order as they appeared on the ballot paper):
Of the more than 129,000 Haarlem residents eligible to vote today, more than 57% did so. This is the highest turnout for municipal council elections in Haarlem since 1998.
Ballot boxes transported to Kennemersporthal
More than 80 polling stations have now finished counting. Once the votes have been counted at the party level, the ballot boxes will be collected and taken to the Kennemersporthal. There, the votes per candidate will be counted tomorrow (Thursday 19 March).
Follow the results live
Want to follow the interim results? Then tune in to the Results Evening we are organising with Haarlem105. The event will be held in the Gravenzaal of the town hall. You can watch live via the Haarlem105 website (external link).
Counting votes underway
All votes are currently being counted at the 89 polling stations in Haarlem. Tonight, only the votes per party will be counted. We expect to be able to share the provisional party-level results in a few hours.
Tomorrow, Thursday 19 March, the municipal polling station will count the votes per candidate. This will take place at the Kennemersporthal from 08:30. This is a public event, and you are welcome to attend.
Highest turnout since 1998
The polling stations closed at 21:00. Of the more than 129,000 Haarlem residents eligible to vote today, more than 57% did so. This amounts to a total of 73,914 people.
This is the highest turnout for municipal council elections in Haarlem since 1998. In 2022, turnout was 52.8%, while in 2018 it was 54.8%.
The turnout may still increase slightly, as people who were in the queue before 21:00 are still allowed to vote.
Now that the polling stations have closed, the counting of the votes has begun. This is taking place at the polling stations themselves. This is a public event, and you are welcome to attend.
Turnout figures at 17:00
At 17:00, the average turnout in Haarlem was 35%. The two polling stations with the highest turnout so far are Posthuis in Zaanenpark and Huis van de Wijk Da Vinci. Turnout at these locations is now above 60%.
The polling stations will remain open until 21:00 today. Are you going to vote? Don’t forget your polling card and ID. View the current crowds at the polling stations on the interactive map (external link).
Prokkel duos
Two polling stations in Haarlem are staffed by Prokkel duos today. These are pairs consisting of one person with a (mild) intellectual disability and one without. At the Publiekshal Raakspoort polling station, Diego (25) is working as a polling station volunteer today.
Raakspoort is familiar territory for him. “I normally work here via SpaarneWerkt in cleaning,” he says. “Someone from the municipality asked if I wanted to take part in this. It’s the first time I’ve worked at a polling station. It’s nice to experience the elections from this side.”
The Prokkel duos are an initiative by Stichting Prokkel, aimed at making polling stations more inclusive. It increases the visibility of people with disabilities and shows how valuable their contribution is. A total of 500 Prokkel duos are working at polling stations across 200 municipalities in the Netherlands today.
Turnout figures at 14:00
More than 129,000 Haarlem residents were eligible to vote in the municipal council elections today. By 14:00, 23% had done so.
There are significant differences in turnout between polling stations. At some polling stations, turnout is already well above 30%, for example at the polling station on Kleverparkweg, at Ontmoetingskerk, obs Bos en Vaart, and at the town hall. At others, it is still quiet, for example at NZH Vervoer Museum in Waarderpolder, which is hosting a polling station for the second time.
Want to know where you can vote quickly? The interactive map (external link) with polling stations shows the current crowds.
Mayor votes at Hart
Mayor Jos Wienen cast his vote this morning at the Hart cultural centre. To celebrate our ability to vote today, a piece of music was played as a tribute to democracy at 08:00. Horn player Misha Spock performed the piece ‘Intrada’ from the balcony of Hart.
Polling stations open until 21:00
The polling stations are open. You can vote today at 89 locations in Haarlem until 21:00. View an overview in the table or on the interactive map (external link). On this map, you can also see how busy the polling stations are.
We expect to share the provisional results tonight (the night of 18 to 19 March).