Utrecht and Groningen Lead Early Turnout in Dutch Municipal Elections

As the Netherlands conducts its municipal elections on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, early voter turnout figures are beginning to emerge. Utrecht and Groningen are currently reporting the highest participation rates among the country’s larger cities, signaling potential shifts in local political landscapes.

Early Turnout Numbers

As of noon on Wednesday, Utrecht has recorded a voter turnout exceeding 15 percent, representing 47,863 votes cast. This is the highest early turnout reported among the major cities in the Netherlands. Groningen closely follows with a turnout of 15.2 percent, with 30,409 votes tallied so far. NL Times

Rotterdam, in contrast, has experienced a lower early turnout, with 11 percent of eligible voters having cast their ballots. Amsterdam has not yet released its early turnout figures as of Wednesday noon.

Mayoral Incentives and National Trends

To encourage participation, Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten has pledged to abseil down the Euromast tower if the city’s voter turnout surpasses that of the 2022 municipal elections. Prime Minister Rob Jetten has added his own incentive, stating he will join Schouten if national turnout exceeds the 2022 level. NL Times

National turnout in the 2022 municipal elections reached a record low of 51 percent, down from 59 percent in 2006.

Efforts to Engage Young Voters

Several polling stations in The Hague implemented innovative strategies to attract younger voters, including opening at midnight on the Grote Markt. By 1:00 a.m., 220 ballots had been cast, a significant increase from the 140 received during the 2018 late-night opening. NL Times

Eindhoven has seen 24,279 votes cast, representing 12.7 percent of the electorate.

Utrecht Election History

The city of Utrecht provides public access to the results of all past elections, including municipal, provincial, water authority, and parliamentary elections. The next scheduled election in Utrecht is the municipal election on March 18, 2026. Onderzoek Utrecht

Recent election results in Utrecht show a high turnout in the October 31, 2025, Tweede Kamerverkiezing (general election) with 81.2% participation. D66 received the most votes, closely followed by GroenLinks-PvdA. Onderzoek Utrecht

Recent General Election Results

Rob Jetten’s D66 party won the general election on October 31, 2025, narrowly defeating Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party. Jetten secured victories in major cities including Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht, campaigning on the slogan “Yes, we can.” Telegrafi