[1] In the previous municipal elections, local political parties won by far the most votes and seats.

Nationally, all local political parties won a total of 29% of the votes and around a third of municipal council seats.

[3] Of all national political parties, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) will contest the most municipal elections; the party will be on the ballot in all but five (Diemen, Ouder-Amstel, Rozendaal, Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog).

[3] Twelve municipalities did not have elections on 16 March due to mergers.

Dutch citizenship is not required to be eligible to vote for municipal elections, non-EU nationals who have legally resided in the Netherlands for at least five years and EU citizens are also eligible to vote.