Webinar: An International's Guide to the Local Elections

Did you know that EU and non-EU citizens (living in Belgium for 5 years) have the right to vote on local municipal elections? This is the perfect opportunity to be heard in your city! During the webinar we will cover the basics so you feel prepared to vote in October, but remember that the deadline to register is 31 July!

Why now, if the elections are in October?

One purpose of providing the international community with this information now is because the deadline to register to vote is July 31st. Even if you registered for the European elections that took place in June, you still need to re-register for the local elections that take place on October 13th.

What will we learn during the webinar?

This webinar will cover a variety of helpful and interesting things when it comes to the local elections in Belgium. Following a 20-minute presentation we will also have time for questions. We will cover the following topics:

Who can vote?
- EU citizens can vote in the commune where they are domiciled
- Non-EU residents who have lived in Belgium for 5 years can vote in the commune where they are domiciled
Why should we vote?
- Leuven and the Province of Flemish Brabant are home to many internationals. Sometimes they do not know that they even have the right to vote in local elections. By voting in these elections you can really make a difference and get your voice heard in your community.
- As with all elections, nothing is certain, and this year the elections may be particularly close.
How does it work?
- We will discuss the structure of power in Belgium from the federal state all the way down to the communal level.
- Resources to help you make a decision.
Q&A! You can also send in your questions while registering.

Who is this webinar for?

Anyone looking to learn more about the process and specifics of voting in the local/municipal Belgian elections. We will have a focus on Leuven and the province of Flemish Brabant, by sharing statistics on these parts of Belgium, but even if you reside elsewhere you can still learn about how the system works and how to make your decision when it comes to election time!

About the Speaker

Thomas Huddleston: With 17 years of international experience, Thomas (PhD, Maastricht) is a leading international expert on migration, integration & diversity. He is widely recognized for his original data collection and work on innovation in policy and practice. He lectures on migration and engages in mixed methods and participatory action research and community leadership development. His 60+ publications and hundreds of speaking engagements have helped to improve policies across Europe & North America. Thomas currently advises refugee students, universities & volunteers working on refugee resettlement.