Referendum

Residents can participate in important decisions made by the City Council. This usually happens at the beginning of a project. We call this citizen participation. Residents can actively contribute ideas, discuss and sometimes even decide on plans and policies.

Citizen participation focuses on working together and sharing ideas early in a project. Sometimes residents feel their voices have not been heard enough or residents think a decision is flawed. Then a referendum may be necessary. A referendum is a kind of last resort, a safety net or a handbrake. It is a tool that can be used by residents or the municipal council for major decisions with a major social impact. Think, for example, of the construction of windmills or a redivision. In a referendum, residents with voting rights can vote whether they are for or against a municipal council decision.

The Referendum Ordinance Kerkrade 2025 describes how a referendum is organized. These rules ensure that a referendum is conducted fairly and properly. It gives residents an additional opportunity to have their views heard on important decisions in Kerkrade.

Are you planning to request a referendum? If so, please contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office.
They can help you with this and together look at the next steps to take. 

The result of a referendum is not binding. This means that the municipal council is not obliged to adopt the referendum result in full. The reason for this also lies in our Dutch constitution. By law, the municipal council is responsible for making decisions that fit the interests of the entire municipality. Although the result of a referendum shows what residents consider important, the municipal council must also take into account other laws, rules and interests. The constitution states that the municipal council has the authority to ultimately tie the knot.

Question & answer about the referendum

What is a referendum?

A referendum is a vote in which residents get to say whether they are for or against a new plan (a draft decision) by the City Council.

Who gets to vote?

Everyone who lives in Kerkrade and is eligible to vote for city council is also eligible to vote in a referendum.

Who can request a referendum?

  • Residents of Kerkrade can request a referendum.
  • The City Council may also decide to hold a referendum.

What topics can a referendum be about?

The referendum is about a new City Council plan. But some issues may not:

  • Decisions about persons (e.g., appointment or dismissal).
  • Money matters of aldermen and former aldermen.
  • Rules for municipal employees.
  • Notes and reports that are for information only.
  • The municipal budget and taxes.
  • Decisions over which the City Council has no choice.
  • Decisions that have been in referendum before.
  • Decisions that are very urgent.

How does a resident-initiated referendum work?

Step 1: Introductory request

  • At least 1% of eligible voters must affix their signatures. In 2022, there were 38,251 eligible voters. This means 383 signatures must be collected from voting residents for the preliminary petition.
  • This must be done before the City Council discusses the plan.
  • The City Council decides whether to approve the request.
  • At least 5% of eligible voters must re-sign. In 2022, there were 38,251 eligible voters. This means 1913 signatures must be collected from voting residents for the preliminary petition.

Step 2: Final request

  • This must be done within 6 weeks of the approval of the initial request.
  • The City Council decides whether to hold the referendum.

How does a municipal council-initiated referendum work?

The City Council itself can decide to hold a referendum.

When is the referendum?

  • The City Council chooses the voting day.
  • The vote must be within four months (maximum of six months if there is a good reason).

What does the ballot question look like?

  • The question is always, "Are you for or against this plan?"
  • If a referendum is at the initiative of the City Council, the City Council can also give multiple choices.

Is there money and funding for the referendum?

  • The City Council sets a budget for the referendum.
  • There is also money for campaigns for and against the plan and for neutral debate.
  • Residents and organizations can apply for grants

How is the outcome determined?

  • The central polling station counts the votes.
  • Results will be announced.
  • The City Council looks at whether everything was done fairly.

When does this regulation go into effect?

The rules will apply from Feb. 12, 2025.