What are the rules for advertising during election time in the municipality of Zoetermeer?
During election time, political parties are allowed to advertise. However, there are rules about what is and is not allowed. Advertising must not violate the Elections Act, voting secrecy and the privacy of voters and polling officials at a polling station.
The day before the election, i.e. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, all advertising must be removed from a distance of less than 50 meters from a polling station. No actions aimed at influencing voters in their choice may be taken at the polling station.
Where to advertise without a permit?
Participating parties are allowed to advertise in public spaces during election time. The municipality of Zoetermeer offers the following possibilities for this, among others.
1. Election signs
A trotter is a mobile outdoor billboard with all the posters of the political parties for which Zoetermeer residents can vote. The images are the same size and in the order of the ballot paper. The municipality places these trotters at 15 locations in the municipality of Zoetermeer in the run-up to the elections.
You can contact Imagebuilding for further information. Please see the website Election Sign | Trotter with pre-printed election posters (imagebuilding.com).
2. Free posting areas / columns.
In Zoetermeer we have 14 free poster sites (billboards).
On these billboards, anyone may announce through posters, messages (expressions of opinion) and events (announcements).
The posting of commercial advertising (brand and product advertising) and obscene, racist or offensive posters and/or texts are not permitted. These are punishable and will be removed.
See above: www.zoetermeer.nl/vrije-aanplakplaatsen
The billboards are cleaned 3 times a year:
- late January - early February
- late May - early June
- late October - early November
3. Triangle advertising signs
Triangle signs are advertising signs that are placed separately by the side of the road. Placing or having placed triangle signs yourself is not permitted in the municipality of Zoetermeer. In Zoetermeer, however, fixed locations with fixed sandwich boards are visible that are operated by ESH Media. Reserving space via the fixed sandwich boards attached to lampposts can only be done via www.eshmedia.nl.
4. Flyer
By flyering we mean handing out advertising materials on the street. If political parties (have) flyers distributed, they are responsible for removing discarded flyers from the street. If not, the municipality will charge for clean-up costs.
The costs involved in removing / clearing unauthorized advertising will be recovered from the violator.
Questions?
Still have questions? You can contact the elections project team. We will be happy to assist you. We can be reached by email at verkiezingen@zoetermeer.nl or by calling 14 079.