The two elections will take place on the same day but serve different purposes and have different voter eligibility requirements. The Island Council election determines who will represent residents in Statia’s local government, while the Electoral College election gives eligible Dutch nationals on the island an indirect voice in the composition of the Dutch Senate.

The Island Council is Statia’s elected representative body. Its members deal with matters affecting the island, including the local budget, infrastructure, housing, public services, economic development, the environment and other areas of local government. For the 2027 election, the Island Council will increase from five to seven seats. The seven members elected will serve a four-year term from 2027 to 2031.

To vote in the Island Council election, a person must be 18 years or older on election day and be a resident of Sint Eustatius on the day of candidate nomination, 1 February 2027. Non-Dutch nationals may also vote in the Island Council election provided they have legally resided in the Netherlands for at least five years. Dutch nationality is therefore not a requirement for voting in the Island Council election.

The Electoral College has a different role and different voter eligibility requirements. Voting in the Electoral College election is limited to eligible Dutch nationals. Residents who are eligible to vote elect members of the Electoral College, who later take part in the election of the Dutch Senate, or Eerste Kamer.

In practical terms, voters do not vote directly for members of the Dutch Senate. Eligible Dutch voters elect Statia’s Electoral College members, who then cast votes in the Senate election. The Senate considers national legislation that can also affect Statia, including matters related to taxation, social security, healthcare, education, drinking water and electricity, justice and public administration.

Polling stations on Statia will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. local time on election day. Eligible voters will receive their voting card at their home address no later than 14 days before the election. The voting card can be used at any polling station on the island.

Over the coming months, preparations for the elections will continue, including the registration of political organisations and the nomination of candidates.

New political organisations wishing to register a party name, officially referred to as a designation, for the 2027 elections must submit their registration request no later than Monday, 21 December 2026. A party name registered for the Island Council election may, under the applicable rules, also carry over to the Electoral College election.

Registration of a party name does not automatically mean that a political party will participate in the election. All parties wishing to participate must submit a valid list of candidates. The formal day of candidate nomination is Monday, 1 February 2027. From 11 January 2027, the required nomination forms and information will be available.

Statia Government will publish further information in the months ahead on the election process, political party registration, candidate nomination, voter eligibility, voting cards, polling stations and what residents need to know before election day.