On January 30, 2023, all eligible voters will be selected to vote for the Island Council Election and the Electoral College Election of March 15, 2023.
- The ballot cards will be sent to the address where you’re registered as at January 30, 2023, according to the personal records database of Bonaire. This means that if you’ve moved, you’ll need to make sure that your address is correctly updated with the personal records database, no later than Monday, January 30. You can register your current address with the Civil Affairs Department (Burgerzaken).
- Keep in mind that there has to be a findable, accessible letterbox to be able to receive voting ballots that get sent by post.
- On the day of the elections, you’ll have to show a valid ID at the polling station. This can be a driver's license, sedula or a Dutch passport that has not expired for more than five years. Check if you still have a current ID that matches the requirements, otherwise request a new ID as soon as possible. This is to avoid you getting excluded from voting just because your new ID isn’t available on time due to busy periods.
In a nutshell: as a voter, make sure that before January 30, 2023, the correct address details are registered with the Civil Affairs Department, that there is a findable and accessible mailbox at the address, and check whether your ID is valid on the day of the elections (or has not expired for any longer than five years).
You can’t vote without a valid ID.
Eligible to vote for the Island Council Elections means people who are residents of Bonaire on the day of the nomination, and who are 18 years of age or older on the day of the elections: March 15, 2023. Residents that aren't Dutch nationals must have a valid residency permit to be entitled to vote. Eligible to vote for the members of the electoral college means people with the Dutch nationality, who are residents of Bonaire on the day of the nomination, and who are 18 years of age or older on the day of the elections on March 15, 2023.
Are you unsure whether you’re registered as a voter? Contact the Civil Affairs Department to check whether you’re registered as a voter. If it turns out you’re not, and you think you meet the criteria, you can submit a request for revision of your registration as a voter, as long as you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria.
For more information about the elections you can follow the Facebook pages Openbaar lichaam Bonaire, BonaireStemt or LinkedIn-page Openbaarlichaam Bonaire.
After January 30, 2023, When all the candidate lists are known and the ballot cards have been sent to the voters, the election website will be up to date with all the information about the importance and necessity of voting.
