Five Dutch municipalities are testing smaller ballots that simplify voting and speed up the counting of votes.

Starting Wednesday, five municipalities in the Netherlands are implementing a new voting ballot format, smaller and easier to use, aimed at simplifying the voting process and speeding up the counting of votes. This mini-ballot contains only two circles to fill in: one for the party and another for the preferred candidate, being much more compact than the traditional A2 format ballot. A major advantage is that it does not require folding before being placed in the ballot box, thus facilitating the process for voters and for those counting the votes.

The experiment is taking place in the municipalities of Tynaarlo, Alphen aan den Rijn, Boekel, Borne, and Midden-Delfland. This is the second test, the first having taken place during the European elections in 2024. If the results are favorable, a third test will take place next year during the municipal elections. The Dutch government could extend this system nationwide, but a change in the electoral law would be necessary. According to Rtv Drenthe, the advantages of the new format are well known and the simplification of electoral procedures is appreciated by the population.