Getting someone else to vote for you

Are you unable to vote yourself? For example, because you have to work or are ill? Then you can give someone permission to vote on your behalf. This is called proxy voting. The person who votes on your behalf is called the proxy. The proxy must also be registered in Kerkrade on February 2, 2026.

A proxy may vote on behalf of up to two other voters. This person must cast your vote at the same time as their own vote.

There are two ways to authorize someone to vote on your behalf:

  1. via your voting pass (private proxy)
  2. via a form (written power of attorney)

Granting permission via your voting pass (private proxy)

You can authorize someone by filling in and signing the back of your voting pass. The authorized person must also sign the back. 

Here's how it works:

  1. Fill in the details on the back of your voting pass.
  2. Sign your name on the back.
  3. Have the authorized representative sign the back as well.
  4. Provide the representative with (a copy of) your ID or a clear photo of it on your smartphone. Your ID may be expired for a maximum of 5 years on the day of the election.
  5. The proxy votes in Kerkrade with your voting pass and a copy or photo of your ID. The proxy must also show ID at the polling station and cast your vote at the same time as their own.

If you are ultimately able to vote yourself, you can revoke the private proxy. You can do this by requesting your voting pass back from the proxy. You can still vote with this voting pass.

Granting permission via a form (written authorization)

Are you unable to vote yourself and unable to authorize anyone else with your voting pass? Then you can authorize someone else using a form. We call this a written proxy. This can be done digitally or by mail. 

Digital

Voters can fill out the digital form to request a voting pass or proxy via the municipality's iBurgerzaken website. 

You will need DigiD for this. 

This digital form will be available from March 2026.

By mail

Download form Model L 8 (Request to vote by proxy) from the website of the Rijksoverheid. 

Send the completed and signed form to the municipality. Enclose a copy of your identity document.

This can be sent to verkiezingen@kerkrade.nl or by mail to:

Municipality of Kerkrade, Elections Team, Markt 33, 6461 EC Kerkrade.

It is not possible to revoke a written proxy. If you have requested a written proxy, your voting pass will be declared invalid. You will then no longer be able to vote yourself or obtain a replacement voting pass.