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Miscellaneous

Request an absentee ballot

Requesting an absentee ballot and mail-in voting materials to vote by mail instead of at the polling place.

Wo wohnen Sie?

Damit wir Request an absentee ballot mit dem zuständigen Wahlamt in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.

Oder Großstadt wählen:

Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Request an absentee ballot.

Processing: approx. 1 weeksSuccess rate: 99.0 %
Last reviewed: August 02, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1

    Documents you need

    Personalausweis oder Reisepass

  2. 2

    Responsible authority

    The authority of your main residence

  3. 3

    How to do it

    Apply directly online

  4. 4

    Costs

    Je nach Gemeinde und Leistung – beim zuständigen Amt erfragen

Find the responsible authority

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Apply for a voting card

    Online, in writing, or in person at the municipal election office, using the voter ID number listed on your election notice.

  2. 2

    Receive your absentee ballot materials

    Ballot, ballot envelope, return envelope, and voter registration card.

  3. 3

    Please return the completed forms

    If sent by mail or dropped off, it must be received by the Election Office by 6:00 p.m. on Election Day at the latest.

Responsible authority

The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →

The essentials before applying

Who is eligible?

All eligible voters who are registered on the voter roll.

Income limit

Processing time

Nationwide: approx. approx. 1 weeks

Success rate

approx. 99.0 % (estimate)

Most common mistakes

  • Absentee ballot materials were returned too late
  • The affidavit on the ballot was not signed

Common reasons for rejection

  • Missed the application deadline (usually 6 p.m. on the Friday before the election)

Alternatives

  • Check related services in the application assistant
  • Use social counselling before applying

If rejected

Read the decision carefully: often submitting missing documents or reapplying helps more than an objection.

Questions & Answers

When is the deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot?

Generally by 6 p.m. on the Friday before the election; in the event of a sudden illness, you may also vote on election day itself.

Freshness & source

Maintenance
Continuously reviewed & updated
Source
Bundesportal (verwaltung.bund.de)
Data quality
100 %

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