Key Takeaways
The Dutch parliamentary election for the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal) will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, across the country.
Residents of Nissewaard, within electoral district 14 (Dordrecht), have received their official materials: a voting pass, a list of candidates, and instructions on how and where to vote.
To participate, citizens must be 18 years or older, possess Dutch nationality, and present both a voting pass and valid ID at any polling station in the municipality.
The election date is not a national holiday—schools and workplaces remain open, and polling stations operate from early morning until late evening.
Story & Details
The arrival of the election package
During the final week of October 2025, Nissewaard households opened an envelope marked with the municipality’s seal. Inside lay a folded set of documents printed in Dutch:
- an official announcement of the election date,
- the large, multi-page candidate list (kandidatenlijsten),
- and a leaflet listing all polling stations, each with its street and building name.
The candidate sheet is striking in its detail—columns filled with parties and dozens of names per column. Every political movement entitled to run in electoral district 14 appears there, from long-established parties to new contenders.
What it means to receive these papers
The mailing is more than just a formality; it is a guarantee that the voter is registered. The stempas (voting pass) serves as the legal key to enter any polling place within Nissewaard. Together with a passport, ID card, or driving licence, it confirms eligibility on election day.
The leaflet also offers practical guidance: “You vote by colouring one red circle for the candidate you wish to choose. If you mark more than one circle or write on the ballot, it becomes invalid.” (translated from Dutch).
The same instructions advise what to do if the paper is damaged—return it to the election official and request a new one. Each voter may request one replacement only.
Where to vote and how the day unfolds
Polling stations open at 07:30 Europe/Amsterdam time and close at 21:00, giving citizens nearly fourteen hours to cast their vote.
Nissewaard lists numerous locations—community centres, primary schools, sports halls, and church halls. Voters may select whichever is most convenient.
Inside, the process is quiet and precise: an official checks the stempas and identification, hands over a folded ballot, and points to the booth. The red pencil, a small but symbolic tool of Dutch democracy, waits inside. After marking one circle, the voter folds the sheet and drops it into a sealed transparent box. It’s quick. It’s secure.
A regular working day
Unlike some countries that hold elections on weekends or designate the day as a public holiday, the Netherlands keeps the workday routine unchanged. Wednesday, 29 October 2025, will not be a public holiday.
Offices, schools, and public services remain open. This approach reflects the Dutch tradition of trust and flexibility—citizens are expected to organize their time responsibly. With polling stations open from morning until night, most people vote before work, during lunch breaks, or after the office closes.
Terms explained
Stempas refers to the official voting pass sent to every eligible voter in the Netherlands. Without it, one cannot vote in person.
Kieskring, or electoral district, defines which candidate list you receive. Nissewaard belongs to Dordrecht’s kieskring 14.
Kandidatenlijsten are the official lists of all political parties and candidates published for that district, distributed a few days before the election.
For Dutch citizens abroad
Those living outside the Netherlands must register in advance to vote by mail. The registration deadline for this election was 17 September 2025 at 23:59 Europe/Amsterdam, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Those who missed it will have to wait until the next parliamentary election.
Conclusions
The October 2025 general election invites every eligible resident of Nissewaard to take part in shaping the next Dutch government. The papers on your table—the envelope, the red-marked instructions, and the long candidate list—form a tangible link to national decision-making. Mark one circle, fold the sheet, and place it in the box: a simple act that defines representation for the next four years.
Even though it is not a holiday, the Netherlands ensures that every citizen has enough time and opportunity to vote. The day blends ordinary life with democratic purpose—a reminder that participation does not need fanfare, only presence.
Sources
- Government of the Netherlands — Voting in House of Representatives elections: https://www.government.nl/topics/elections/voting-in-house-of-representatives-elections
- Netherlands Worldwide — Registering to vote from abroad: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/voting-abroad/parliamentary-elections
- House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) — How elections work: https://www.houseofrepresentatives.nl/how-parliament-works/elections
Appendix
- The envelope bearing the words “Op woensdag 29 oktober 2025 is de verkiezing van de leden van de Tweede Kamer” confirms official notice from the municipality of Nissewaard.
- Candidate sheets carry the national coat of arms and list all participating parties in alphabetical order by number.
- Polling station addresses are printed locally but anonymised here for privacy.
- All times correspond to Europe/Amsterdam.
(Translations from Dutch included above.)
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 