Final results of the 2026 municipal elections

A total of 14,360 votes were cast in the 2026 municipal elections in Opsterland on March 18. The final results were officially announced on Thursday by Mayor Andries Bouwman, in his capacity as chair of the central election committee.

The voter turnout of 59.1 percent marks the first increase in 40 years compared to the previous election. A total of 14,282 votes were cast for candidates, with 51 blank ballots and 27invalid votes.  

Due to the increase in the population, the new city council will have 23 members in the coming term. That is two more than it does now. 

Seventeen candidates are entitled to a seat based on the number of preferential votes they received. It is still unclear whether all of them will take up their seats. 

On Monday, March 30, a special council meeting will be held to bid farewell to council members who will not be returning to the new city council. On Wednesday, April 1, the new city council will be sworn in. This will be followed by a post-election debate, during which the parties will discuss the election results and look ahead to the formation of a new administration. The actual negotiations will then begin.