Press release no. 20/19 of 6. Mai 2019

2019 European Election: information for postal voters – applications should be submitted now

WIESBADEN – Voters can vote either in person at the polling station or by post in the European Election this year. Applications for postal voting should be filed as soon as possible to make sure that the required documents are received in time.

Those wishing to cast their votes by post in the 2019 European Election have to apply to their local municipality in writing or verbally (but not by telephone) for a polling card to be issued. Where applicable, the online form the relevant municipal authority provides on its website may be used for the application. If the voter’s notification includes a QR code, this can also be used for the application. Anyone filing the application on behalf of another person must present a written proxy. On the back of the voter’s notification, which should have been received by all persons entitled to vote who are listed in a voters’ register by 5 May at the latest, there is a form for the relevant application.

The polling card and the documents required for postal voting may be applied for until Friday before the election, that is 24 May 2019, 6 p.m.; in exceptional cases (e.g. provable sudden illness) this can be done until election day, 26 May 2019, 3 p.m. Those who deliver their application at the electoral office will be given the postal voting documents immediately and may cast their votes directly there and then.

The completed postal voting documents in the official red return envelope have to be received at the municipal authority indicated on the envelope by election day, 26 May 2019, 6 p.m. at the latest. Postal ballot letters which arrive later will not be considered when the votes are counted. To make sure the postal ballot letter is received in time, it should be posted in Germany on the third working day before the election at the latest, that is on Thursday, 23 May 2019. Postal voters may also deliver the postal ballot letter personally to the address indicated on the official return envelope or have it handed in by another person. Again the voter bears responsibility for the postal ballot letter arriving in time.

The right to vote must be exercised personally and secretly also when the vote is cast by postal ballot. Voters who are unable to read or cannot mark the ballot paper, fold it and place it in the envelope themselves because of a physical impairment may ask another person for help, provided that certain requirements are met which are stated on the polling card and in the leaflet informing about the postal ballot.

For further details on the postal ballot please refer to the information leaflet which comes with the postal ballot documents and to the website of the Federal Returning Officer at: www.bundeswahlleiter.de → European Parliament election → 2019 → Information for voters → Postal ballot.

For further information:

Office of the Federal Returning Officer
tel: +49 611 75-4863
www.bundeswahlleiter.de/contact