Apply for a polling card

You can apply for your polling card as follows:

• You go in person to the city or municipal administration and pick up the polling card there,
• You submit a written application - you can use the form on the back of the election notification,
• You apply for a polling card electronically if your city or municipality offers such a procedure (online application) or you send an e-mail to your local authority with the following details:
  - first names, surname
  - date of birth
  - address,
  and if the postal voting documents are to be sent to a different address, this address as well.
• You ask a representative who has your written authorisation to collect the documents for you.

It is not possible to apply by telephone.

You are eligible to vote in the relevant election and are entered in the electoral roll.

Written authorisation if a third person is to submit the application for you or receive your documents.

• § Section 4 of the European Elections Act (EuWG) in conjunction with Section 17 BWG
• § Section 26 of the European Electoral Regulations (EuWO)
• § Section 17 of the Federal Election Act (BWG) - electoral roll and ballot paper
• § Section 27 of the Federal Electoral Code (BWO)
• § Section 13 (1) of the State Parliament Election Act (LWG)
• § Section 13 State Electoral Regulations (LWO)
• § Section 9 (1) of the Municipal Elections Act (KWG)
• § Section 17 of the Local Election Code (KWO)

Sending in the election documents is postage-free within the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you are unable to cast your vote by postal vote due to a disability, another person may assist you. Your helper must be at least 16 years old and confirm in lieu of an oath that the ballot paper has been marked in accordance with your declared wishes.

If you are entitled to vote but are not registered on the electoral roll, you can apply for a polling card

• if you can prove that, through no fault of your own, you missed the deadline for applying to be included in the electoral roll (up to the 21st day before the election) or the deadline for objecting to the electoral roll (20th to 16th day before the election),
• the right to participate in the election did not arise until after the deadline for applying for inclusion in the electoral roll or the deadline for objecting to the electoral roll,
• or if the right to vote has only been determined in the objection or complaint procedure and the municipality only became aware of the determination after the finalisation of the electoral roll.
   

With a polling card, you can also vote in any polling station in the constituency.

Further information on the topic of elections can be found at

• Further information on elections can be found at wahlen.hessen.de.

• Ballot paper issue
• You can apply for a polling card: Postal voting documents will be sent by post
• Votes can also be cast in advance directly at the city or municipal administration
• Competent authority: the municipal or city administration of the place of residence (main residence).