Bundestag election: when do the polling stations close today? And who can still vote afterwards

The general election on Sunday is the day of the decision.

The polling stations in Germany close at the same time - but you can still vote afterwards.

Munich - All of Germany will vote for the next Bundestag on Sunday.

Clear rules apply to the general election.

Who can vote?

And when?

And who?

This is clearly defined in Germany.

Bundestag election on Sunday: When do polling stations open and close?

Polling stations across Germany open and close at the same time.

In all 16 federal states, the election begins on Sunday

(all information in our news ticker)

, September 26th at 8 a.m.

From this point on, voters can put their crosses in the polling station.

Postal voters can hand in their voting documents earlier: either by post or directly at the polling station or the town hall.

The only thing that matters is that the completed ballot papers arrive on time for the polling stations to close.

That is - as in every general election - at 6 p.m. sharp.

But there is a possibility how you can still make your cross after this time.

Germany votes: How can you still vote after 6 p.m.?

The right to vote clearly stipulates that the bars close at 6 p.m.

Voters who arrive by this time must be allowed to make their crosses.

That means: Those who are already there at 6 p.m., but have to queue because of the large crowd, can also fill out their documents after the magical closing time and the vote will be taken into account.

Those who arrive after 6 p.m. are no longer allowed to place their crosses.

Due to the corona pandemic, some regulations apply in the polling stations.

However, there is no 3G rule.

Bundestag election: who can vote - and who is not?

All adult Germans who have their main residence in the Federal Republic of Germany are allowed to vote on Sunday.

Foreigners who do not have German citizenship are excluded - regardless of how long they have been living in Germany.

Disabled people with full legal care are also allowed to make their mark.

That was not possible recently.

Interest groups are happy about the decision: A "giant step" towards more inclusion is the inclusion in the federal election.

Bundestag election on Sunday: who will stand for election?

Each voter may place two crosses.

A total of 40 parties with at least one state list are entering the race in this year's federal election.

These can be chosen with the second vote.

In addition, direct candidates run in each constituency.

The voter chooses one of them with his or her first vote.

Chancellery: who will inherit Angela Merkel?

One thing is clear: Angela Merkel will not do it again. After 16 years as chancellor, Merkel is withdrawing from politics. Who will be the new Chancellor will not be decided on Sunday alone. Once the election results have been determined, the parties begin to play poker. The parliamentary groups and parties negotiate afterwards on coalitions. There are currently signs of a close race for the top. According to current surveys, the SPD is in the lead with its Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz. The lead in second place is melting: the Union has increased in favor of the electorate in the past few days, the Christian Democratic chancellor candidate Armin Laschet continues to have hopes for the successor to Angela Merkel. The Greens around their top candidate Annalena Baerbock, who are in third place, are now beaten by the top duo.

Wahl: Which coalitions could govern Germany?

Many different coalitions are currently conceivable.

However, all parties have ruled out cooperation with the AfD.

The Union has also confirmed that it does not want to form a coalition with the left.

The CDU and CSU have been campaigning for weeks against a red-red-green government alliance made up of the SPD, the Greens and the Left Party.

Who will rule the country in the future?

The course will at least be set by Sunday evening.

(dst)