Renate from Sint-Oedenrode comes to the polling station on horseback | Boxtel

It started out as a joke after the municipality of Merigstad announced that the riding school De Pijnhorst in Sint-Oedenrode is also a car polling station during this election. Leftovers from the Corona period to allow residents to vote safely, such as ordering a hamburger; without leaving your car. A local radio journalist wanted to know, “Can I vote on horseback?”

On Monday afternoon, it looks like that’s already possible when Renate Verstappen enters the polling station on her horse Icon. She hands her voting card at the counter next to the fixed door, after which she is allowed to proceed to the polling booth in the middle of the box.

There it turns out that the horse’s back is not the best place to cast your vote. The animal becomes a rebel when it takes a while before Verstappen finds the right party ball and person.

Amazon admits that it’s not very practical to do it this way. “It’s really good to vote like this for one time,” said Verstappen, who works for the municipality of Merigstad.

Last weekend, when she was walking around the equestrian center for reinforcement, I imagined how cool it would be if someone actually went with a horse. A colleague suggested if you come on a horse. She was referring to her and classmate Nikki Hasenberg, who is as fond of horses as she is. “And she’s crazy enough to do this to me.” So they reported to the polling station on Monday afternoon with their horses Icona and Donia.

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One or more polling stations were also opened elsewhere in the region on Monday. Just as with last year’s national elections, residents have three days to spread out the crowds. It seems that this need has disappeared now that the corona appears to be on its way back; For many residents, those extra days are essentially practical.

Like Connie De Bruyne who cast her vote on Monday morning at City Hall in Sunn. “Wednesday isn’t right for me because of the course, so it pays to vote now.” Gerard Swinkels, who says he never made it past the election, is also happy with the setup. I had to be in the village to draw blood. This way I can integrate it.”

By noon, the counter was already at 125 votes in Jr. , , the first one was already there at 7:30, says polling station chief Rick Vercht. “In the first few hours, people were basically going to work. Now mainly old people are coming in.”

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One of the voting booths specially equipped for blind or visually impaired persons. Here’s a headset that lists the candidates again and a model in large numbers and braille on the electoral roll.

In each municipality there is one polling station specially designed for people with visual impairments to facilitate the voting process. In Eindhoven this is in the city hall. Although the road is not quite the easiest: many streets in the city center are open and the bus stop in front of the entrance is temporarily closed.