The Netherlands contains hundreds of kilometers of coastline and is crossed by thousands of rivers, canals and ditches. For centuries we have learned to live with water, like no other country has done before. Along with multiple risks as well as opportunities.

More than ever we are facing a number of challenges. The water authorities are continuously making choices on how The Netherlands should handle water. To protect man against the water and to protect the water against man.

The choices we make have a big impact on the future of our water. To determine what kind of investments we should make, it's important for us to know what's important to you. So speak out during the water authority elections on March 15, 2023. That's when we determine the future of our water. 

Why vote?

The water authority elections are coming up. This means that everyone age 18 and older is allowed to vote on March 15. During the water authority elections you define the future of water. Because voting is your right!

Voting is important because this is the way to influence the water authority board on what they spend tax money on. By voting, you decide who will become members of the general board of Waterschap Zuiderzeeland.

The general board of the water authority –comparable to the city council- is responsible for watermanagement in Flevoland and small parts of Friesland and Overijssel. The general board decides on the policy, will take the most important decisions and verify the daily board of Waterschap Zuiderzeeland. 

The water authority is facing important choices. In Flevoland we have the issue of soil subsidence and meanwhile there's a big demand on housing. Does the water determine where our houses will be built? Of do our houses determine where water flows?

And the dikes, are they here to keep us safe or also for recreation and biodiversity?

How far can we go when it comes to filtering waste water? Does it have to be super clean or is clean just enough? And does the water authority have to spend money on collecting energy and useful material from waste water so it can be re-used? There's a lot to choose from! Are you wondering what party or candidate suits your opinion best? Visit MijnStem.nl (available from February 6).

Our general board contains 25 members. 18 members (called ‘residents’) are chosen in a democratic process through elections. 7 members are appointed by interest groups from businesses, farmers and nature. This means that these seats are legally reserved for the categories agriculture (3 seats; appointed by agri- and horticulture organisation LTO-Noord), businesses (3 seats; appointed bij Chambers of Commerce) and agri-environmental managers (1 seat; appointed by The Dutch Forest and Nature reserve owners association). The results of the water authority elections determine who will take place in the general board on behalf of the category ‘residents’.

Are you curious about who is currently seated in the general board? Go to our general board.

How to vote?

On March 15, 2023 you –amongst others- get to determine the future of our water. That's when you can vote during the water authority elections. Everyone 18 and older that lives in the Waterschap Zuiderzeeland region gets to vote for a new water authority board, which is comparable to a city counsil.

Are you voting for the first time? Or maybe you don't remember how it works? To make sure you can contibute your vote the right way, here's some advice to make sure you are ready for voting.

Go to MijnStem.nl

Political parties have different point of views. To find out which parties and candidates there are, which plans they have and which party suits your opinions best, go to MijnStem.nl (available from February 6). On this website you can find background information and options to compare all parties.

Find out where you can vote

Are you looking for a polling station to vote close to home, work or school? Visit your municipality's website. 

Bring your voting pass and proof of identity

In the run-up to the elections you will receive your voting pass in the post. Bring the voting pass allong with a valid proof of identity to the polling station. All passports, identity cards and driving licences from EU countries and from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will be accepted. Are you unable to get to the polling station because of illness, work or holiday? You can authorise someone else to vote for you by transferring your voting pass to them of by written proxy.
 

Questions?

For information and questions contact us through verkiezingen2023@zuiderzeeland.nl or 0320 274 911.