stembureaus

Stembureaus, or polling stations, are designated sites where residents eligible to vote cast their ballots during elections. They are organized by the electoral authority at municipal or regional levels and are located in accessible public buildings such as schools, community centers, or town halls. The primary purpose is to provide a private, secure, and supervised environment for voting and to verify voter eligibility before ballots are issued.

Each stembureau is staffed by trained election officials and often volunteers. Duties include checking registration, confirming identity if required, issuing ballots, explaining the voting procedure, and ensuring privacy in the voting booth. Campaigning is typically prohibited inside the voting area to protect neutrality.

Voting proceeds with voters marking ballots in private and placing them into a sealed ballot box or an electronic system. Measures prevent multiple voting, safeguard secrecy, and maintain the chain of custody for ballots and equipment.

Stembureaus are usually open for a defined window on election day, with accessibility options for people with disabilities or language needs. Assistance may be available to voters who require help completing the ballot.

After polls close, ballots are counted or tallied under jurisdiction rules and results reported to the central election authority. In some systems, subsequent audits or recounts may occur.

In-person voting at stembureaus complements other methods such as mail or proxy voting.