Berlin election sees rise in postal voting applications

Berlin has recorded a modest rise in demand for postal voting ahead of the September 20 election to the House of Representatives. The state election authority had issued 556,631 voting certificates by August 30, around 7,829 more than at the same stage of the 2023 election.

Around 2.5 million Berlin residents are eligible to vote. Applications for postal ballots can be submitted until September 18 at 3 p.m., while completed materials must arrive by 6 p.m. on election day to be counted.

Berlin does not have a single central office for postal voting applications. The districts issue the documents through their local election offices, and voters can find the relevant addresses on district administration websites. Voters can also cast postal ballots at district postal-voting centres instead of returning them by mail.

Postal voting has increased markedly in Berlin and across Germany over the past decade. State Returning Officer Stephan Bröchler expects it to account for about 45% of votes this time. The postal ballot package includes a voting certificate, official ballot papers, a white ballot envelope, a red election-mail envelope and instructions.

Elections for the district assemblies will take place at the same time as the House of Representatives election.