Winterswijk election results and storm recovery efforts unveiled in latest municipal update
Winterswijk residents can now view preliminary election results and join efforts to restore the town’s green landscape after last year’s devastating storm. Financial support and community initiatives aim to rebuild and future-proof the area while offering energy-saving solutions to tackle rising bills.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Election Results | |
| Total votes cast | 14,290 |
| Valid votes | 14,225 |
| Voter turnout | 60% (up from 58.64% in 2022) |
| Storm Recovery | |
| Trees to be planted (2026) | ~500 |
| Financial support | Provided by Gelderland Province |
| Private landowner campaign | Advice and planting plans available |
| Energy Savings | |
| Free energy-saving products | Up to €300 worth (e.g., draft strips, LED bulbs) |
| Home insulation subsidies | Available for residents |
| Upcoming Events | |
| Electoral Office session | March 26, 2026, 11:00 AM (livestream available) |
| Council farewell meeting | March 31, 2026, 7:30 PM |
| New council installation | April 1, 2026, 6:00 PM |
The Municipality of Winterswijk oversees local governance, including elections, infrastructure, and environmental initiatives. It collaborates with provincial authorities like Gelderland to fund and implement recovery projects, such as post-storm landscape restoration, while promoting sustainability programs for residents.
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Municipal News March 24, 2026
Contents of the municipal news
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the municipal elections were held. Below are the preliminary results.
- Total number of votes cast in Winterswijk: 14,290
- Valid votes: 14,225
- Blank votes: 44
- Invalid votes: 21
- Voter turnout in Winterswijk: 60% (in 2022: 58.64%)
Thank you for your vote!
Public session Central Electoral Office March 26, 2026
On March 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM, the Central Electoral Office will officially confirm the final results during a public session. The session will take place in the council chamber at Mevrouw Kuipers-Rietbergplein 1 in Winterswijk. You can also watch the livestream or view it later. A record of the proceedings will be drawn up and published on the results page after the session. Alternatively, you can view it at the municipal office during opening hours. To do so, please make an appointment by phone 0543 543 543 or by email to verkiezingen@winterswijk.nl.
Landscape restoration: trees return to Winterswijk
On Friday, March 20, 2026, during National Tree Planting Day, children from OBS Woold primary school, along with Helga Witjes, Deputy of Gelderland Province, and alderpersons Gosse Visser and Sandra Metaal-ten Dolle, planted new trees. This marked the festive start of the replanting effort following the severe downburst storm on Wednesday evening, July 2, 2025. They also unveiled a movable tree bench, featuring an information board with a QR code providing details about the storm.
Storm caused extensive damage
The summer 2025 storm caused significant damage in Winterswijk. The characteristic cultural landscape was affected in multiple locations: trees fell, buildings and roads were damaged. At the same time, a strong sense of community emerged. Residents, entrepreneurs, associations, and partners worked together to restore the landscape.
New trees and green connections
Planting new trees is a key part of this restoration. With financial support from Gelderland Province, approximately 500 trees will be planted in Winterswijk’s rural areas in 2026. This effort aims to create a green and resilient landscape while strengthening connections between green spaces.
Private land planting campaign
Additionally, a campaign for private landowners and estates will launch in 2026. Residents can receive advice on design, species selection, planting, and maintenance of new vegetation. Once planting plans are approved, the actual planting will take place in the autumn of 2026.
Working together for a future-proof landscape
Through this joint effort, Winterswijk’s landscape will remain green, vibrant, and future-proof. This contributes to an important goal of the area development in Winterswijk.
Take control of your energy bill? Start today
Energy prices may rise in the coming period. Now is a good time to take steps to reduce your energy consumption—it always pays off, regardless of price developments. Whether you want to start with small measures or move toward larger sustainability efforts, there are options for everyone.
Start small? Join the Energy Savings Buddies
A volunteer will provide free advice on how to save energy. Through the Energy Savings Buddies program, you can request up to €300 worth of free energy-saving products, such as draft strips, LED bulbs, or radiator foil.
Ready for bigger steps? Insulation pays off
Attractive subsidies are available for insulating your home. This will permanently lower your energy bill while improving comfort.
Financing doesn’t have to be a barrier
If you don’t have the funds for a larger investment right away, financing options are available to help you get started.
Personal advice at the Sustainable Winterswijk Center
Want to know what works best for your situation? The Sustainable Winterswijk Center can help. For all information on subsidies, financing, and registration, visit the Sustainable Winterswijk Center website.
Public council meeting Tuesday, March 31, 2026 – Farewell to the current municipal council
Due to the farewell of outgoing council members and committee members, all seats and the council chamber are reserved for invited guests and the press. You can follow the meeting via livestream (or watch it later).
- Date and time: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 7:30 PM
- Agenda and documents: administrative information
Public council meeting Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – Installation of the new municipal council
Due to the installation of the new municipal council and the swearing-in of committee members, all seats and the council chamber are reserved for invited guests and the press. You can follow the meeting via livestream (or watch it later).
- Date and time: Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM
- Agenda and documents: administrative information
Agenda
Date Description
- March 26 Public session Central Electoral Office March 26, 2026 in the council chamber at Mevrouw Kuipers-Rietbergplein 1 in Winterswijk. Starting at 11:00 AM
- April 3 Public transport walk-in consultation hour from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Bibliotheek Oost-Achterhoek, Parallelweg 5 Winterswijk.
Roadworks
Torenstraat
- Sunday, March 29, 2026 Shopping Sunday
- Friday, April 3, 2026 Additional market
The Torenstraat will be closed to all traffic from the Stad Münster entrance on these days. A towing regulation will apply.
Wooldseweg
During cable and pipeline work, the Wooldseweg will be closed between Greversweg and Harkelsweg from March 9 to March 27, 2026.
Kloetenseweg and Acacialaan
Due to redevelopment work, the Kloetenseweg and Acacialaan will be closed from Monday, March 16, to Friday, June 19, 2026.
Freule van Dorthstraat
Due to cable and pipeline work between Parallelweg and Freule van Dorthstraat 19, the street will be temporarily and phased closed.
More information is available on the Roadworks page.
Official announcements
The Municipality of Winterswijk publishes its announcements and notifications digitally. On www.officielebekendmakingen.nl, you can read all announcements and notifications. If you are 25 or older and have provided an email address in MijnOverheid, you will automatically receive a maximum of one email per week from overheid.nl with “Messages about Your Neighborhood” around your residential address. You can also sign up for “Messages about Your Neighborhood” for a self-selected address. Sign up at www.overheid.nl/berichten-over-uw-buurt/.
Official announcements can also be read on the Announcements page.
Decisions of the Mayor and Aldermen
The Mayor and Aldermen meet every Tuesday to discuss policy, collaboration, and finances. The decisions made by the college are available on the college decisions page.