Surge in Early Voting for Rhineland-Palatinate State Election
39% of Eligible Voters Cast Ballots Ahead of Election Day
In the ongoing state election in Rhineland-Palatinate, a significant 39% of the approximately 2.97 million eligible voters have already cast their ballots via postal vote. This represents a notable increase compared to the 2021 federal election, which was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating Ahr flood.
"Compared to the 2021 Bundestag election, the number of eligible voters who have applied for a so-called electoral certificate has dropped significantly," stated Marcel Hürter, the state’s electoral officer, in Bad Ems. In 2021, the figure stood at nearly 49%.
During the 2021 federal election, the proportion of postal voters in Rhineland-Palatinate reached a record high of approximately 61%. The overall voter turnout for that election was an impressive 77%.
If voter turnout remains at a similar level for the state election, over half of eligible voters will have opted to vote by mail, according to Hürter’s calculations.
Hürter urged all remaining eligible voters who have not yet cast their vote by post to make use of the polling stations on Sunday, emphasizing that the state has approximately 5,500 polling stations open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Comparison to Previous Elections
The surge in early voting for the Rhineland-Palatinate state election stands in contrast to the 2021 federal election. The COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating flooding in the Ahr Valley had a major impact on that election, with many voters opting to vote by mail to minimize the risk of infection or to avoid flood-affected areas.
In the 2016 state election, early voting accounted for approximately 30% of total votes cast, while in the 2017 federal election, the figure was slightly higher at around 33%.
Factors Contributing to Early Voting
Several factors may have contributed to the increase in early voting for the Rhineland-Palatinate state election this year. These include:
- The convenience of postal voting, which allows voters to cast their ballots from the comfort of their own homes.
- The desire to avoid potential long lines or crowds at polling stations on Election Day.
- The importance of the state election, which will determine the composition of the state parliament and the selection of the next state government.
Impact of Early Voting on the Election Outcome
The high proportion of early voting in the Rhineland-Palatinate state election may have an impact on the final outcome. Historically, early voters tend to be more likely to support incumbent parties. However, it is too early to say definitively whether this will be the case in this particular election.
The final results of the Rhineland-Palatinate state election will be announced on Sunday evening. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for the political landscape and the future direction of the state.
