Bundestagswahl durchführen

Members of the German Bundestag are elected in Bundestag elections. The regular electoral term is four years. You are automatically entered on the electoral roll in the municipality in which you are registered as having your sole or main residence.

Persons who do not have German citizenship are not entitled to vote. Unlike in the European and municipal elections, EU citizens are therefore not entitled to vote, even if they are resident in the Federal Republic of Germany.

All citizens entitled to vote who are registered with the registration office on the 35th day before the election are entered in the electoral roll ex officio and receive a polling card no later than three weeks before the election day. You can inspect the voters' register from the 20th to the 16th day before the election on working days during the general opening hours of your municipality. Persons who are not entered in the electoral roll and believe they are entitled to vote can apply to be entered in the electoral roll up to the 21st day before the election or apply for a polling card with postal voting documents from the municipality by 6 p.m. on the second day before the election (Friday) at the latest. In specially regulated exceptional cases, especially in the case of proven sudden illness, you can apply for a polling card up to 3 p.m. on election day.

You will need a polling card if you wish to vote at a polling station other than the one assigned to you or if you wish to cast your vote by postal ballot.
If you have misplaced or lost your polling card, you can still vote in the polling station. However, do not forget to bring your identity card or passport with you.

You have a total of two votes:

• one first vote for the election of a constituency MP (left-hand side of the ballot paper) and
• a second vote for the election of a state list (right-hand side of the ballot paper).

The municipality will let you know which polling stations are accessible (barrier-free). If in doubt, enquire about this in good time.

If you are unable to cast your vote on your own or cannot read due to your physical impairment, you have the option of having someone you trust help you vote (in the polling station or by post). You can also ask a member of the electoral board for help in the polling station. Blind or visually impaired voters can use a ballot paper template.

You can vote in the polling stations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day.

You can find extensive information about the Bundestag elections on the websites of the Federal Returning Officer, the Federal Returning Officer and the German Bundestag. Questions about the Bundestag can be answered by the Bundestag's virtual advisor. The Federal Agency for Civic Education provides information on various election topics.