Municipal election; conduct of the election of the first mayor and members of the municipal council

In the election of municipal councillors, voters generally have as many votes as there are seats to be filled. There is the option of cumulation, i.e. up to 3 votes can be given to individual candidates. In addition, voters can also cast their votes for candidates from different lists.

Voters have one vote in the election of the first mayor.

Voting rights and eligibility

In principle, all Germans and all nationals of other Member States of the European Union who have reached the age of 18 on election day, have lived in the municipality for at least two months and are not excluded from the right to vote may vote.

Anyone wishing to be elected as a municipal councillor must be a citizen of the European Union on election day, have reached the age of 18 and have lived in the municipality for at least three months, which does not have to be their main residence, or have usually resided in the constituency without having a residence. These requirements must also be met by anyone wishing to be elected to the office of honorary first mayor, whereby they must be German within the meaning of Art. 116 Para. 1 of the Basic Law. Anyone who has neither a home nor their usual place of residence in the municipality can also be elected as a professional first mayor. However, there is an age limit for professional first mayors. There must be no disqualification from eligibility either for election as a municipal councillor or for election as mayor.

You can find out more from your municipality.

Numerous deadlines must be observed when preparing and conducting the municipal election.

Please ask your municipality for more details.