Surge in Mail-In Voting for German Federal Election in Lower Saxony
As the September 23rd German Federal Election approaches, a significant number of voters in Lower Saxony are opting for mail-in ballots, leading to increased demand at designated voting centers.
High Demand for Mail-In Ballots
A recent survey by the German Press Agency (DPA) revealed substantial lines forming at mail-in voting centers in major cities across Niedersachsen. In Hannover, a queue stretched through the New Town Hall on the first day of opening, according to city spokesman Dennis Dix. Similar queues were observed throughout the week at six designated voting stations. Notably, approximately 70,000 out of 360,000 eligible voters in Hannover have requested mail-in ballots.
Preparations for Election Day
Concurrent with the increased demand for mail-in voting, preparations for Election Day are underway in Lower Saxony’s cities and municipalities. In Hannover, the so-called "election warehouse" is preparing ballot boxes for the city’s 300 electoral districts. This secure facility houses around 1,000 ballot boxes.
Anticipated High Voter Turnout
The City of Osnabrück anticipates a substantial voter turnout, influenced by the high demand for mail-in ballots. As of the survey, 35,000 mail-in ballot applications had been processed by the City’s Election Office, exceeding the 32,000 received during the European elections.
In Oldenburg, approximately 1,800 citizens had cast their votes in-person at the Election Office since its opening last Friday. The city has received around 26,600 mail-in ballot applications, predominantly submitted online.
Challenges in Lüneburg
Due to faulty ballots, the mail-in voting office in Lüneburg’s town hall was forced to temporarily suspend issuing ballots. To compensate for the lost time, extended voting hours have been implemented. Despite this temporary setback, the city reports a successful start to mail-in voting, with over 12,400 ballots issued.
Effort to Handle Increased Demand
Municipalities are facing the challenge of dispatching mail-in ballots promptly within a shortened timeframe for this Federal Election. In Braunschweig, for instance, 40,000 ballot envelopes were sent within three days. In the city’s mail-in voting center, a surge in foot traffic was noticeable, particularly on the first day when 1,000 ballots were issued in-person within seven hours.
Growing Popularity of Mail-In Voting
Mail-in voting has become increasingly popular in Germany. During the 2021 Federal Election, nearly half of all voters (47.3%) cast their ballots by mail, likely influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the 2019 European elections, around 38% of eligible voters opted for mail-in ballots. In Lower Saxony, an estimated 5.9 million citizens are eligible to vote.
Mail-In Voting Procedures
Individuals wishing to vote by mail must request a ballot certificate from their municipality or city. This can be done in person, by mail, or online in many areas. After submitting the request, the ballot package will be mailed to the voter’s address. Alternatively, the package can be picked up in person, often allowing for immediate voting.
Deadline for Submission
Mail-in ballots must be received by the designated authority no later than 6:00 PM on Election Day. Late ballots will not be counted, and voters are solely responsible for ensuring timely delivery. To avoid potential postal delays, it is recommended to drop off the ballot in-person or use a tracked shipping method. Postage is not required within Germany.
Impact of Public Sector Strikes
According to municipal administrations, the current public sector strikes in various cities will not affect election offices and mail-in voting centers. The State Electoral Commission has instructed municipalities to maintain these services. In Osnabrück, the core team of the Election Office will not be affected by potential strikes. Similarly, the mail-in voting center in Braunschweig remains fully operational despite a strike leading to the closure of kindergartens and indoor swimming pools on Wednesday.
