Get to know My Vote Counts! The Citizens' Initiative​

You are “My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative”, a new political party that makes decisive power democratic again and puts it back with us, the citizens. That’s what we stand for.

Unfortunately we couldn’t act quickly enough to take part in October’s elections. But with your support — and that’s not financial support — we’ll easily make the next elections.
“Not financial? ” So what do they want, then?
Simple… 30 statements of support per electoral district, so that we get on the ballot. See also “Your help”

Every vote counts

My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative wants to move toward a society in which every voice is heard, in which every vote counts and matters. Citizens must once again recognize what actually happens with their vote. Together we are building a future in which your voice is taken into account. Humanistic ethics is the basis for our actions in this. People are central to us, with “hands off” and care for the “weaker” as our core principles.

Founder of My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative

B.W.H. Guijt is the founder of My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative. By background he is a social historian of policy and governance, and an economic and social-historical researcher. As early as 2012 he published the article ‘Elections are a sham’ in which he addressed the drawbacks of our current political system. Now he wants to turn his social interest and involvement into practical action by founding My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative. In his view, the current political system has not worked properly for a long time. That’s why it’s time for change. Power over political decision-making must return to citizens; where it also belongs.

Founder of My Vote Counts! The Citizens' Initiative

Bij Mijn Stem Telt! Het burgerinitiatief staat de mens centraal en hebben wij ook oog voor de zwakkeren in onze samenleving.

Why a binding citizens' referendum?

Our current political system no longer works. During elections, political parties promise all sorts of things, but once it’s time to govern, the positions from the various election manifestos are barely recognizable anymore. In the Netherlands you can only govern with multiple parties if you are willing to compromise. As a result, many citizens are dissatisfied, and the gap between citizens and politics has never been greater.

According to the October 2023 research paper by the I&O Research center, 58% of citizens in the Netherlands are in favor of a binding citizens’ referendum.

It’s time for a shift toward a politics in which citizens recognize themselves and which offers a solution to the major problems of our time.

Decision-making power for the citizen

So it has to be different! My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative wants to give decision-making power and authority back to citizens in a peaceful, democratic way. That’s why we founded ‘My Vote Counts!’ The Citizens’ Initiative, with the main goal of introducing a democratic, binding citizens’ referendum system.

Voor invoering bindend referendum in de grondwet 2x een meerderheid nodig in de 1e en 2e kamer in opeenvolgende kabinetten.

Constitutional amendment necessary

This won’t happen without a struggle, since the Constitution needs to be amended for it. We are convinced that this will ultimately succeed, since current politics keeps showing, time and again, that it has no solution for the challenges we face.

The binding referendum in practice and in the future

We realize that introducing the binding referendum takes time. For the binding referendum, the Constitution needs to be amended. That can only happen if two successive cabinets vote in favor of it with the required majority. We can only achieve the introduction of the binding referendum by taking part in the current political system. We are embracing exactly this longer period of time to get used to the binding referendum and to learn how the population can work with it. Once we reach our main goal — namely, anchoring the binding referendum in the Constitution — we will dissolve our party.

Toekomst visies voor nutsbedrijven, de zorg en de crisis opvang zijn hard nodig.

Future visions needed

Future visions needed

Through research we want to find out what the majority of citizens in the Netherlands stand for. This does not mean, however, that we automatically side with the opinion of the majority of the population.

Distribution problems in the future

We already foresee many ‘distribution problems’ in the near future, partly caused by ‘new’ technologies such as quantum computers, self-learning AI, and robots. They will make a very large number of our jobs redundant. Who will benefit from this? Who will suffer because of it? According to My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative, direct, joint action is urgently needed to be prepared and ready for our future.

Private behavior and behavior in public spaces

The party will also further explain its views on citizens’ behavior in both private and public spaces, including the principle of “hands off,” which will play an important role in public binding referendums.”

Private behavior and behavior in public spaces

The party will also further explain its views on citizens’ behavior in both private and public spaces, including the principle of “hands off,” which will play an important role in public binding referendums.”

Elections

We stand for a binding citizens’ referendum in local, provincial, national, and European politics alike.