In Bundestag elections, the electoral area is subdivided into 299 constituencies, which in turn are broken down into polling districts. Constituencies are important in terms of election organisation. Up to and including the 2021 Bundestag election, one representative per constituency was elected directly from the constituency nominations by the first votes cast. From the 2025 Bundestag Election onwards, candidates who have won the most first votes will receive a seat only if it is backed by a sufficient percentage of second votes.
Constituency nominations may be submitted by political parties, but also by associations of voters. Separate ballot papers containing the respective constituency nominations are prepared for each constituency.
Legal bases
Sections 2 to 5, Sections 18 to 20 of the Federal Elections Act (BWG)
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