stembrieven

Stembrieven is a term used in Dutch-language contexts to refer to the mail-related materials associated with voting by mail. The exact scope of the term varies by jurisdiction, but it commonly denotes the combination of a ballot and the accompanying correspondence that a voter uses to cast a vote by post and to return it to election authorities.

A stembrieven kit typically includes the ballot paper, instructions, and one or more return envelopes. Voters mark the ballot in private, place it in a secrecy envelope, and insert that envelope into a return envelope before mailing or delivering it to a designated collection point. Elections administrations may employ features to preserve secrecy, verify voter eligibility, and prevent tampering, such as unique identifiers, signatures, barcodes, or verification procedures. Some systems require the voter's signature on the return envelope or a separate declaration of eligibility.

The use and regulation of stembrieven vary by country and region. In many places, mail voting is intended to increase accessibility for people abroad, residents with limited mobility, or those unable to vote in person. Critics often raise concerns about security, potential delays, or the risk of ballots not being received in time, while supporters emphasize increased participation and convenience. Overall, stembrieven are part of broader mail-in voting mechanisms governed by national or regional electoral law and administrative practices.