Almelo tests exit polls in pilot to predict election results early
Almelo residents may notice municipal staff conducting an exit poll today at seven polling stations. The pilot aims to provide early insights into voting behavior, with results potentially shared tonight, offering a sneak peek before official counts.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Pilot Project | Exit poll during municipal elections in Almelo |
| Number of Polling Stations | 7 |
| Locations | Stadslab, IISPA, Eninver, Zone.College, Community centre Möll’nwiek, De Schelf, Town Hall |
| Timeframe | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Results Announcement | 9:30 PM on March 18, 2026 |
| Methodology | Voters anonymously fill out a form with the same 18 names as the official ballot |
| Selection Criteria | Polling stations with 2022 results within 25 percentage points of municipal average |
The municipality of Almelo is responsible for organizing and overseeing local elections, ensuring they are conducted fairly and transparently. This pilot project reflects the municipality’s role in exploring innovative methods to enhance electoral processes and public engagement.
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Exit poll in Almelo at selected polling stations
Almelo is conducting an exit poll today during the municipal elections as part of a pilot project. The aim is to gain early insight into voting behaviour and potential results before the official count takes place. Municipal employees in Almelo are asking voters to anonymously cast their vote again on a form.
Exit poll
At seven selected polling stations, municipal staff will ask voters, as they leave the polling station, to once again indicate their vote anonymously on a form. This form lists the same 18 names as the official ballot paper. Voters will place the completed form in a sealed box. The survey will take place from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Selected polling stations
The polling stations where the surveyors will be stationed have been carefully selected. The 2022 municipal election results were taken into account. In 2022, the results at these locations deviated by less than 25 percentage points from the overall municipal distribution. This means the results were representative of Almelo’s voting behaviour as a whole. This approach aligns with standard methods used by national research agencies and ensures the exit poll is both methodologically sound and practically feasible. The polling stations are located at the following venues:
- Stadslab
- IISPA
- Eninver
- Zone.College
- Community centre Möll’nwiek
- Community centre De Schelf
- Town Hall
Disclaimer
Almelo intends to announce the exit poll results at 9:30 PM on Wednesday evening, half an hour after all polling stations have closed, during the results evening at the town hall. If an insufficient number of forms are collected, the municipality may decide not to present the poll’s outcome.
Municipal elections
For all information about the elections on Wednesday, March 18, visit the elections page.