Oldebroek's Municipal Elections 2026: Accessibility and Coalition Talks Take Center Stage
Oldebroek's recent municipal elections introduced accessible voting for residents with disabilities, while provisional results show shifts in political power. Residents now await coalition talks that will shape the municipality's future direction and policies.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Election Date | 24 March 2026 |
| Municipality | Oldebroek |
| Accessible Voting Innovation | Ballot template and box for residents with (visual) disabilities |
| Provisional Election Winner | CVO (gained seats) |
| Other Gainers | Sociaal Duurzaam Oldebroek, SGP |
| Losers | CU, ABO, CDA (lost seats); VVD (no seat) |
| Next Steps | Exploratory coalition talks led by CVO |
| Final Results Expected | 26 March 2026 |
| Upcoming Discussion Topic | Artillery Shooting Range (ASK 't Harde) and housing construction plans |
| Guest Speaker | Inspector-General Mattheus Wassenaar |
The municipality of Oldebroek is responsible for local governance, including organizing municipal elections and implementing policies that affect residents' daily lives. As the local executive body, it facilitates democratic processes and ensures accessibility in civic participation.
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Read the full translated article below
Column: Elections and Connections
Read the column from 24 March 2026 here.
Last Wednesday marked the day: the municipal elections. A special day when many of us did the same thing. Voting. For our municipality, for the place where we live. Where our children and grandchildren grow up. Voting for the future.
During the day, I visited polling stations. This year’s visit to the Kamphall was particularly special, as an extra accessible polling station had been set up there. For the first time, residents with (visual) disabilities could vote independently using a ballot template and ballot box. It was wonderful to see. I voted at the mobile polling station at Meidoornplein, where the Loco’s music caravan added to the festive atmosphere. I was even able to request the first song. Very enjoyable, and even the weather cooperated!
In the evening, the tension was palpable in the council chamber. Together with political parties and residents, we followed the provisional results. CVO emerged as the big winner in the elections. Sociaal Duurzaam Oldebroek and the SGP also gained seats. CU, ABO, and CDA lost seats, while the VVD did not receive enough votes for a seat. As mentioned, these are provisional results. We expect the final results on Thursday, so I must remain cautious. On Thursday evening, the lead candidate of CVO announced, as the largest party as agreed among the parties, that they would begin the exploratory talks. This means examining which viable majorities exist and which parties can and wish to form a coalition. I am curious to see how this unfolds!
In the meantime, our regular work continued. On Friday, we welcomed a special guest: Maarten von Balluseck. Together with representatives from Stichting Adel in Nederland, the Nederlandse Adelsvereniging, and the Noord-Veluws Archief, we delved into a piece of family history closely intertwined with that of our municipality. As a descendant of two former mayors of Oldebroek, he brought stories and documents that once again connected us with the past. It is encounters like these that show how history and the present continue to intersect.
And this week, another important discussion is on the agenda. We will receive Inspector-General Mattheus Wassenaar for a visit to ASK ’t Harde and the town hall. Among other topics, we will discuss the situation surrounding the Artillery Shooting Range and the possibilities for housing construction in the area. It is precisely in matters like these that it is important to show what we are talking about.
It will be another week filled with meetings, discussions, and expectations. With the final results and the start of the process to form a new municipal council. And it is not just about the numbers, percentages, or seats. It is about the direction we will take together. It is about the people, the involvement, and continuing to build our municipality together.
Tanja Haseloop – Mayor of Oldebroek