HOW TO VOTE in Germany
In Germany, the European election will take place on Sunday 26 May 2019. Any German or EU citizen living in Germany can vote provided they are aged 18 or over, meet the residence requirements, the conditions for being eligible to vote and are registered to vote in their home municipality. It is also possible to vote by postal vote or from abroad.
Sunday 26 May 2019 is the date of the European election in Germany.
Voters in Germany have to vote in a specific polling station based on their home address.
The location of the polling station is indicated on the voter’s notification.
Voters can, however, apply for a polling card so that they can vote by post or go to another polling station of their administrative district or town (for example, in case their allocated polling station is not accessible).
In Germany, the minimum voting age for voting in elections is 18 years.
Germans with primary residence in Germany are usually already registered in the voters’ register. The municipal authorities send out the voter’s notifications about four to six weeks before the election. You should have received your voter’s notification by the 21st day before the election.
If you have not received a voter’s notification until the 21st day before the election or have doubts whether you are already registered, you should contact the municipality in charge.
Generally, voters can prove that they are entitled to vote at a specific polling station by presenting their voter's notifications there. Nevertheless, you should also have your identity card or passport ready to present it if required. The voter's notification may be retained by the electoral board. You are not explicitly required by law to show your identification at the polling station. Those who are listed in a voters’ register or have a polling card may vote. However, the electoral board may ask you to present your identification. If you have forgotten your voter’s notification, you will have to show your identity card.
Yes. In order to do so, you have to apply to the municipality of your main residence for a polling card. Postal ballot documents will automatically be send with the polling card.
A polling card can be applied for until 18.00 CET on the Friday before election day, at the latest. In exceptional cases it is possible to apply for a polling card to be issued until 15.00 CET on the day of the election, for example if the voter finds it impossible or unreasonably difficult to go to the polling station due to provable sudden illness.
No, this is not possible in Germany.
Yes, EU citizens residing in Germany can take part in European elections in Germany if on election day,
- they are aged 18 or over
- have been living for more than three months in Germany or in another EU country
- are not disqualified from voting
- are registered to vote in their home municipality.
Voters will elect 96 Parliament members in 2019, which is the same number as in the 2014 elections.
In Germany there is just one national constituency. Every voter has one vote.
There is no threshold for political parties to be elected to the European Parliament in Germany.
Under EU law, all countries must use voting systems that ensure proportional representation, which means that the number of elected members from each party depends on the share of electoral votes obtained by the party.
In Germany, members are elected in accordance with the principles of proportional representation based on Land lists of candidates. There may be Land lists of candidates for individual Länder or one list for all Länder.
Germany uses closed lists, which does not allow voters to change the order of candidates on the list.
Nominations may be provided by parties and other political associations. Independent candidates may not run in European elections in Germany.
The deadline for submitting the nominations to the Federal Returning Officer for lists for one Land and joint lists for all Länder was 18.00 CET on Monday 4 March 2019 (83rd day before the election).
The Federal Electoral Committee decides on the admission.
Monday, 8 April (48th day before the election) is the last day for a public announcement by the Federal Returning Officer on the lists admitted for individual Länder and the joint lists admitted for all Länder.
Voters with a disability have the possibility to autonomously exercise their right to vote through accessibility of voting. There are accessible polling stations and helpers to assist the voters. Blind and visually impaired people can cast their votes by using ballot paper templates.
How can I vote in other countries?
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