Midden-Drenthe residents shape local future in municipal elections
Today, residents of Midden-Drenthe cast their votes to elect a new municipal council, determining the direction of local policies on housing, care, and green spaces for the next four years. With a turnout of 62%, the community has spoken—preliminary results are in, but final seat distribution awaits confirmation.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Midden-Drenthe |
| Election Date | 18 March 2026 |
| Polling Stations | 22 (open until 21:00) |
| Turnout (Final) | 62% |
| First Interim Turnout (12:00) | 14.4% |
| Second Interim Turnout (15:00) | 30.78% |
| Interim Turnout (19:00) | 54% |
| Preliminary Results | From 21:30; final preliminary results at 23:30 |
| Definitive Results | Announced on 26 March 2026 at 11:00 |
| Mayor | Jan Zwiers |
| Initiatives | ‘Vote Taxi’ to assist residents in reaching polling stations |
The municipality of Midden-Drenthe is responsible for organizing local elections, ensuring democratic participation, and overseeing the electoral process. The municipal council plays a crucial role in shaping policies that directly affect residents' daily lives, such as housing, care, and infrastructure.
News & Coffee ☕
Openrijk runs on coffee, curiosity and your support.
Read the full translated article below
LIVE: Midden-Drenthe elects new municipal council
18 March – Today, residents of Midden-Drenthe will cast their votes. Who will take their seats in the council chamber in Beilen for the next four years? In this report, we will take you through the entire day of the elections: from the atmosphere in the polling stations to the preliminary results expected late tonight.
What can you expect here?
- Throughout the day: Updates on turnout and images of the atmosphere from across the municipality.
- From 21:30: The first preliminary results once the polling stations close.
- From 23:30: The preliminary final results.
Good to know
- Polling stations : Open until 21:00
- Bring: Your polling card and a valid ID.
- Results evening: From 21:30, you are welcome in the council chamber of the town hall in Beilen for the results evening.
------------------------
22.55 – Preliminary final results after counting all 22 polling stations
The preliminary final results of the 2026 municipal council elections. The definitive results with the seat distribution will be announced by the central polling station on Thursday, 26 March at 11:00. This year’s turnout was 62 percent.
Last update: 22.55 | Number of polling stations counted: 22 of 22
------------------------
22.25 – Interim results: 15 of the 22 polling stations counted
Last update: 22.25 | Number of polling stations counted: 15 of 22
------------------------
22.10 – Interim results: 9 of the 22 polling stations counted
Last update: 22.10 | Number of polling stations counted: 9 of 22
------------------------
22.00 – Interim results: 4 of the 22 polling stations counted
Last update: 22.00 | Number of polling stations counted: 4 of 22
------------------------
21:00 – Polling stations closed!
The doors of the 22 polling stations in the municipality have officially closed. The counters are now starting their monumental task. The first results are traditionally expected from the smaller villages.
The sorting of the ballot papers has begun.
------------------------
19.00 – Interim turnout figures for Midden-Drenthe municipality
The interim turnout figures for the municipal council elections in Midden-Drenthe show a turnout of 54% at 19:00.
------------------------
16.00 – Mayor takes residents to the polling station in ‘Vote Taxi’
To make it as easy as possible for all residents to cast their votes, the mayor is personally driving around the municipality today. He is using a recognisable ‘Vote Taxi’ and will make five trips, from Bovensmilde to Nieuw-Balinge. Residents who join him on the way can have an informal chat with the mayor.
Mayor Jan Zwiers takes the Dilling couple in the ‘Vote Taxi’ to the polling station in Westerbork
------------------------
15.30 – Turnout steadily increasing
The residents of Midden-Drenthe know their way to the polling stations. The second interim figures of the day, measured at 15:00, show a turnout of 30.78%. This is 16% lower than during the 2025 general elections. The 22 polling stations in the municipality have now been open for more than eight hours.
------------------------
15.00 – Mayor casts his vote in Beilen alongside child mayor
This afternoon, Mayor Jan Zwiers cast his vote at polling station De Raat in Beilen. He did so in the presence of the child mayor and her class. During this visit, the pupils were explained how the voting process works and why it is important to have a say in the direction of the municipality.
Mayor Jan Zwiers casts his vote in Beilen alongside child mayor Silvi Szarzec
------------------------
12.00 – First preliminary turnout figures for Midden-Drenthe municipality
Today, residents of Midden-Drenthe are casting their votes in the municipal council elections. The first interim figures show a turnout of 14.4%. This is comparable to the 2022 municipal elections and 7% lower than during the 2025 general elections.
The polling stations in Midden-Drenthe municipality have been open since 07:30 this morning. Mayor Jan Zwiers:
‘It is good to see that residents know their way to the polling stations. Every vote determines the direction of our municipality for the next four years, whether it is about housing, care or green spaces in the neighbourhood.’