Press release no. 31/21 of 27. August 2021

Background information on the 2021 Bundestag Election: postal voting at your local authority is an option

WIESBADEN – Eligible voters can apply to vote by post once they have received their voter’s notification for the Bundestag election on 26 September. An application for the issue of a polling card can be filed with the municipal authority in charge either in writing or in person but not by telephone. There is an application form on the back of the voter’s notification. If the voter’s notification includes a relevant QR code, this can be used to apply for a polling card. In case the municipal authority provides an online application form on its website, this may also be used. The postal ballot letter has to be posted as soon as possible after receipt of the postal voting documents or handed in directly to the authority indicated on the official return envelope. Federal Returning Officer Dr. Georg Thiel said: “You can also vote in person at the municipal authority in charge and save the time it takes until the documents have been sent to you and returned.”

It is possible to apply for postal voting documents until Friday before the election, that is 24 September 2021, 6 p.m. If you have applied for postal voting documents which have not been delivered you must substantiate the fact that you have not received any postal voting documents at your municipal authority. The municipal authority can then issue a new polling card (postal voting documents) to you until the day before the election at noon. 

It is possible in exceptional cases to apply for a polling card and postal voting documents until 3 p.m. on the day of the election (26 September 2021), especially where the voter finds it impossible or unreasonably difficult to go to the polling station due to provable sudden illness. The ballot letter must have been received by the competent authority not later than 6 p.m. on the Sunday of the election as polling comes to a close at 6. p.m. and the counting of votes begins. Ballot letters received later will not be considered in the counting of votes.

Press office
tel: +49 611 75-3444
www.bundeswahlleiter.de/contact