Municipal elections 2026
Municipal elections 2026
Results
On March 18, 2026, 44.2% of Heerlen residents cast their ballots. On Thursday, March 26, at 10:00 a.m., the Central Election Commission officially certified the results.
The distribution of seats is as follows:
- Heerlen Senior Citizens' Party (OPH): 8 seats
- CDA: 6 seats
- SP (Socialist Party): 4 seats
- Jongerenpartij : 4 seats
- Forum voor Democratie: 3 seats
- GROENLINKS Partij van de Arbeid PvdA): 3 seats
- PVV (Party for Freedom): 2 seats
- D66: 2 seats
- Partij Hoensbroeks Belang: 2 seats
- Hart Leers: 1 seat
- Partij voor de Dieren: 1 seat
- VVD: 1 seat
- Democratic Citizens' Interest: 0 seats
View the results and the official reports
On March 30, the current council members will step down, and on April 1, the new city council will take office.
A new coalition...
You have made your voice heard. The elected parties will now get to work. What steps will be taken to form a new coalition?
Negotiation
The parties that wish to work together are negotiating a coalition agreement.
Screening
The parties nominate candidates for alderman. The candidates are screened.
Performance
The coalition will present the coalition agreement and the aldermen to the council.
Follow Election Day and the results
Currently working on: The final report of the exploratory study - Completion date
The final report on the exploratory study is complete.
Completed: Second Interim Report on the Heerlen Feasibility Study - Completion date
The second interim report of the study is now available.
Completed: Coalition Formation
Exploratory talks for a new coalition are in full swing. The first interim report has been released.
Completed: Final results announced - Completion date - 9:00 a.m.
On Thursday, March 26, at 10:00 a.m., the Central Election Commission officially certified the results.
Completed: Verification of results by the Municipal Election Board - Completion date - 9:00 a.m.
The Central Election Commission has asked the Municipal Election Commission to double-check a few additional results. In doing so, the Central Election Commission relied on a data analysis conducted by the Electoral Council. This analysis identified a number of areas requiring attention.
The Municipal Election Board has investigated these issues. A hearing was held on Monday, March 23. The investigation found that everything was in order. Therefore, the results remain as previously determined.
Completed: Results by polling place - Completion date - 12:00 p.m.
The official reports with the results by polling station have been published.
View the results.Also take a look at the graph comparing the results from 2026 and 2022.
Completed: Preliminary results - Completion date - 11:50 p.m.
The preliminary results are in. The seats have been allocated. The OPH is the largest party with 8 seats. The CDA is in second place with 6 seats. The SP and the Jongerenpartij each follow with 4 seats.
Please note: these are preliminary results. The remaining seats will be allocated as the count continues.
Completed: Results from 27 polling stations - Completion date - 23.15
Results from 27 polling stations have been received. We are waiting for results from the remaining 19 polling stations.
The 27 polling stations are the Douvenrade Care Center, Brightlands, De Wellerij, St. Anna Care Center, Peter Schunck Community Center, Caumerbron Community Center, OBS de Tovercirkel, Bergweide Nursing Home, St. Jan Scouting, Beersdal Community Center, Palemig Sports Hall, het Juphuis Community Center, Schandelen Neighborhood Center, Hooghendael Residence, Corneliushuis, Varenbeuk Sports Hall, 't Heitje Neighborhood Center, Vogelsanck Senior Center, Paulus Community Center, Amicitia Party Center, Our Community Center, BMV Maria Gewande, BMV Auvermoer, Weijenberg Senior Center, Mariarade Community Center, and the Mobile Polling Stations.
Completed: Results from the first 16 polling stations are in - Completion date - 10:45 p.m.
The first results are in. 16 smaller polling stations have been tallied. There are 30 more to go, and then we’ll have a preliminary result. The
The 16 polling stations are the Douvenrade Care Center, Brightlands, De Wellerij, St. Anna Care Center, Bergweide Nursing Home, St. Jan Scouting Center, Palemig Sports Hall, Hooghendael Residence, Varenbeuk Sports Hall, 't Heitje Community Center, Paulus Community Center, Amicitia Party Center, BMV Maria Gewande, BMV Auvermoer, and the Mobile Polling Stations.
Completed: Polling stations are closed - Completion date - 9:00 p.m.
The polling stations have closed. The vote count has begun. Voter turnout is 44%. That is 2% higher than in 2022. Starting at 9:30 p.m., the live stream of election night at Theater Heerlen will begin at .
Follow the first election results live with party leaders and candidates.Completed: When will the results be announced? - Completion date - 7:30 p.m.
Vote counting will begin tonight after the polls close. We expect the first results later this evening. You can follow the election night event featuring party leaders and candidates at Theater Heerlen starting at 9:30 p.m. via the livestream at .
The final results are usually announced later, once all the votes have been verified and counted.
Completed: Preliminary turnout and the final hours - Completion date - 6:30 p.m.
The current turnout is 38%. That is slightly higher than in 2022. The final hours have begun. You have until 9:00 p.m. to vote.
Completed: Voting is open until 9:00 p.m. - Completion date - 3:30 p.m.
Haven't had a chance to vote yet? No problem. Polling stations are open until 9:00 p.m.
Don't let your vote go to waste!Completed: Morning attendance - Completion date - 12:30 p.m.
Early figures show that by noon, 15% of Heerlen residents had already voted. That is more than in 2022.
Haven't voted yet? There's still time. Stop by your polling place today and make your voice heard.
Completed: Practical tip - Completion date - 11:30 a.m.
Don't forget to bring your voter registration card and ID to the polling place.
Completed: The mayor casts his vote - Completion date - 10:00 a.m.
The mayor already voted this morning. You’re going to vote too, right?
Make your voice heard today!Completed: Polling stations are open - Completion date - 7:30 a.m.
The polling stations are open. Voters can cast their ballots until 9 p.m. tonight at the latest. Be sure to bring your voter registration card and a form of identification!
Are you voting on behalf of someone else? If so, please bring the proxy form with you.
Ballot committee members wanted!
Behind every election day is a team of committed and accurate poll workers. They make sure everyone can vote safely, fairly and according to the rules. We need you!
Interested? Let us know. We will inform you about the duties, training to be attended, and the course of election day until the last vote counted.
Are you already a member of a polling station and need information? If so, please log in to our member portal.
Explanation of use of results software elections
The municipality of Heerlen has investigated whether the computer systems and measures for counting votes comply with the rules of the Electoral Council. The mayor and aldermen declare that this investigation has been carried out and record the outcome in a statement.
This statement is public and has been sent to the Electoral Council.