The electoral area is the Federal Republic of Germany.
In Bundestag elections, the electoral area is subdivided into 299 constituencies, which in turn are broken down into polling districts. The constituencies are important in terms of election organisation as in every constituency one deputy is elected directly from the constituency nominations by the first votes. Constituency nominations may be submitted by political parties, but also by groups of voters and associations of voters. Special ballot papers containing the respective constituency nominations are prepared for each constituency.
Legal bases:
Sections 2 to 5, 18 to 20 of the Federal Elections Act (BWG)
There are no constituencies in European elections, the electoral area is subdivided into polling districts only. The 16 Länder of the Federal Republic of Germany are important in terms of election organisation as parties and other political associations may submit both federal lists (joint lists for all Länder) and Land lists (lists for one Land). Special ballot papers are thus issued for each Land.
Legal bases:
Sections 3, 8 of the European Elections Act (EuWG)
Last update: March 2008
