‘I am involved with elections every day’

‘As a voter, you mainly experience the 5 minutes you spend in the voting booth,’ Marleen explains. ‘But behind every election is so much work that the municipality has a dedicated election team.’ Smiling: ‘With 6 organized elections, I am a veteran in the team!’

Ensuring it runs smoothly

Marleens role is election specialist. She mainly does process management. ‘Ensuring everything runs smoothly,’ she summarizes. ‘My team and I must ensure everything goes well at the 358 polling locations in Rotterdam. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab..’ 

From ballot boxes to kettles for tea for polling station members: Marleen has to consider everything. It’s not just about that one day. Marleen: ‘I am involved with elections every day, even when it’s not election time. But now, just before March 18, we are working at full speed.’ 

(story continues below the photo)

40 elections in one day

On March 18, Rotterdam not only holds elections. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab. for the city council. Rotterdam also votes for 37 district and 2 village councils. ‘40 elections in one day,’ counts Marleen. ‘For such local elections, my team has to arrange more things. Think of recruiting and registering candidates, helping local parties, and involving Rotterdammers in the election.’

Pioneer

Marleen: ‘2026 is the 2nd time we elect district councils. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab. in Rotterdam. This year, candidates could register digitally. That’s easier: you no longer have to bring all your papers to a municipal office. This process is so innovative that the Electoral Council . Link opens an external page in a new browser tab.came to see how we organize this. Rotterdam is a pioneer in organizing elections.’ 

Going smoothly

The digital candidate registration is a success, Marleen notices. ‘It works very well because 830 people are eligible for the district and village councils. That shows the elections are alive. Hopefully, this will be reflected in the turnout of Rotterdammers on March 18.’

(story continues below the photo)

Contributing to a higher goal

Organizing elections is a big task and Marleen enjoys her work. ‘I feel that with the election team I contribute to a higher goal: democracy. Through our work, all kinds of Rotterdammers can cast their vote everywhere and that feels good.’ 

Finally celebrating

During the election week itself, it’s intense for Marleen and her team. ‘Then we are very busy and sleep little. When the official reports. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab. are published and the results are final, then we can celebrate. You can bet that drink tastes good after all the hustle!’ 

Eid al-Fitr

You might think: with every election more routine. Marleen does not want to rely on experience. ‘One example: on March 18 it is Eid al-Fitr. Because of that, 3 locations from the previous election, for the House of Representatives on October 29 last year, are not participating.’ 

‘You don’t just find 3 replacement locations. Every Rotterdammer must be able to vote within 750 meters of their home. So we have to pay attention to accessibility and distribution. This work requires continuous accuracy.’

Mostly elections

When it’s quiet in terms of elections? Then Marleen and her election colleagues work in other departments. ‘But we mainly remain the election team. With such a fixed team, no knowledge is lost when it matters. This way, we become more professional with each election.’

More information

If you have been inspired by this story and want more information about working at the Municipality of Rotterdam or want to see all available vacancies, visit the website werkenvoorrotterdam.nl. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab..