In Berlin, the election to the House of Representatives is due on September 26th.
You can also vote by postal vote - but you should not lose sight of a deadline.
Berlin - The Federal Republic is in the last few meters of this year's election marathon.
In September, another super election year comes to an end with the federal elections, the state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the election of the House of Representatives in Berlin.
There are a few points to consider so that the vote can also be counted in all relevant elections.
All information about the Berlin election 2021 can be found in our news ticker.
A new House of Representatives is elected in Berlin every five years.
This year, election day falls on September 26th - at the same time as the federal election.
All Berliners who are eligible to vote can have a say in the new party constellations in the House of Representatives.
Because the 130 seats in parliament have to be filled again.
But how does the election work?
Election of the House of Representatives in Berlin in 2021: Voting in the voting booth or by postal vote
Similar to the federal election, all eligible voters have the opportunity to make two crosses - for the first and second vote. For this, all voters receive two ballot papers: one for the direct mandate of a constituency member (first vote) and one for the election of the district and state list of a party (second vote). Only one cross may be placed on each list.
The constituency candidate with the most first votes in his constituency receives the direct mandate for entry into parliament.
The number of second votes for a party results in its entitlement to seats in the Berlin parliament, which are filled by candidates on the state and district lists of a party depending on the proportion of votes.
Only those parties that crack the so-called "five percent hurdle" make the leap into parliament.
They can put their crosses in the voting booth or vote by postal vote.
The ballot papers look the same in any case.
But how does postal voting actually work?
Application for postal voting in the election to the House of Representatives in Berlin
Applying for postal voting is simple.
You can apply for it since August 16, and must be at the polling station by 6 p.m. on September 24 at the latest.
The postal voting documents are valid for all elections and referendums taking place in Berlin on September 26, 2021.
You have several options for applying for postal voting:
by electronic application (only up to and including Tuesday, September 21, 2021)
by email
by post (you fill in the back of the voting notification and send it in a letter to the address given)
per fax
Berlin election 2021: What documents will I receive for the postal vote?
After applying for postal voting, you will receive the following documents:
Ballot paper
official ballot papers
official blue ballot envelope
official red ballot envelope
Election to the Berlin House of Representatives: How do you carry out a correct postal vote?
Voting by letter is only valid if the signature “Confirmation of oath instead of postal vote” is signed in the lower half of the voting slip.
All ballot papers must be placed in the blue ballot envelope, which must be sealed.
Then put the ballot paper and the blue ballot envelope in the red ballot envelope and seal it.
The completed postal voting documents must be thrown into the mailbox in such a way that they reach the responsible district election office by Sunday, September 26, 2021, 6:00 p.m.
From August 16, 2021, you can also vote at your local postal voting point.
All you have to do is bring an official ID with a photo.
Can I still vote personally after applying for a postal vote?
When issuing a ballot paper for postal voting, a blocking notice will be entered after your name in the electoral roll.
After that, you can only vote by submitting your voting slip, either by letter or at your polling station.
By the way, there will again be help with voting decisions in 2021 through a popular online tool.
On
Merkur.de you
will find the Wahl-O-Mat Berlin so that you can test your preference for different parties free of charge.
Election marathon in Berlin: four elections in the capital
In addition to the composition of the Berlin House of Representatives, other political responsibilities can also be decided in the polling stations on election day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.: For Berliners, the new elections for the district assembly and the federal election are pending.
And if you still haven't had enough of voting, you can also cast your vote for the referendum on “Expropriate Deutsche Wohnen & Co.” on September 26, organized by the initiative of the same name.
As a city-state, the rulers of the city of Berlin, in contrast to area states, have to take on state and municipal tasks.
In addition to the seats in the Berlin Parliament, the office of the ruling Lord Mayor also has to be filled.
In the last elections in 2016, the SPD was ahead with 21.6 percent, followed by the CDU with 17.6 percent, the Left with 15.6 percent and the Greens with 15.1 percent.
The first national red-red-green alliance currently rules in Berlin.
This is what the current surveys and forecasts say.
Further surveys, live data and figures can be found in our result text with an overview of all the important graphics.
