The second vote shall be cast on the right half of the ballot paper (blue print)
in Bundestag elections. The voter casts this vote for a certain party (Land list). Below the
party’s name, those of the first five candidates from the Land list are given. Subject to the
deviations resulting from the Federal Elections Act (especially overhang mandates), the second vote
is decisive for the distribution of seats. Only parties may submit Land lists. The number of seats
to be allocated to each party is calculated on the basis of the number of second votes obtained in
the federal territory or in the Länder.
Legal bases
Sections 4, 6, 27, 30 of the Federal Elections Act (BWG), Section 45 of the Federal
Electoral Regulations (BWO)
Voters have only one vote in
European elections.
