in den haag kun je stemmen in een nachtclub of bij madurodam
Den Haag, vrijdag, 6 maart 2026.
Op 18 maart zijn in Den Haag niet alleen schools en buurthuizen stemlokalen. Kiezers kunnen ook hun stempas gebruiken in bijzondere locaties. Denkers van cultuur en geschiedenis komen opdagen in het Kunstmuseum en het Nationaal Monument Oranjehotel. Feestvogels kunnen tot middernacht stemmen in Club Westwood. Er is zelfs een mobiel stembureau bij Pathé Spuimarkt. Burgemeester Jan van Zanen noemt het een kans om democratie tastbaar te maken. Vanaf middernacht is stemmen mogelijk in Boterwaag en op de Grote Markt. De stad probeert zo meer mensen te bereiken. Ook Madurodam is dit jaar een officiële stemlocatie.
unusual voting spots aim to boost turnout
More than 440,000 eligible voters in The Hague will cast ballots on 18 March during the municipal council elections [1]. To encourage participation, the city has established around 260 polling stations across various unconventional venues [1]. Voters can now choose symbolic or cultural sites such as museums, cinemas, and nightclubs [1][3][4]. The initiative reflects a broader strategy to make democracy more accessible and visible to residents [1].
historic and symbolic locations included
One notable location is the National Monument Oranjehotel, a former WWII prison turned memorial site where freedom was once restricted [3]. On election day, it opens from 07:30 to 21:00 as an official polling station [3]. Those who vote receive a special postcard granting free access to the museum afterward [3]. Similarly, the Kunstmuseum and Madurodam serve as polling places, combining civic duty with cultural experience [1][3].
nightlife meets democracy
For those active late at night, two polling stations offer midnight voting sessions [1]. From 00:00 to 02:00, citizens can vote at either the Boterwaag or the Grote Markt [1]. Additionally, Club Westwood operates as both a youth-oriented polling station and a nightlife venue [1]. Another evening option includes a mobile ballot box stationed at Pathé Spuimarkt between 17:00 and 20:00 [4]. After casting votes, attendees may proceed directly to movie screenings [4].
mayor urges public engagement
Mayor Jan van Zanen emphasized the importance of accessibility ahead of the elections [1]. In a public appeal, he stated that every voter’s ballot is their entry ticket to democracy [1]. With approximately 260 designated locations—from neighborhood centers to theme parks—the city aims to remove barriers to participation [1]. His campaign slogan “Come on! For The Hague” underscores efforts to increase voter turnout through convenience and visibility [1].