Questions on: The right to vote and election principles in Germany

Federal elections normally take place every four years. Elections in Germany are secret and universal, as laid down in the Basic Law (Grundgesetz).

The right to vote in federal elections is tied to certain conditions, such as German citizenship. It is anchored in the Basic Law (Grundgesetz).

The right to vote in federal elections is anchored in the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). The Federal Elections Act regulates the details, for example the division into constituencies and the electoral register.

Fixed principles from the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) apply to elections in Germany (Article 38): they are universal, direct, free, equal and secret. Among other things, this means that no one may see or check how someone votes. That is why there are polling booths. Occupation, sex or income play no role for the right to vote.

Article 38 of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) regulates the election of the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag). The federal election takes place regularly in Germany and is a central element of democracy.

In Germany, the term right to vote covers several rights relating to taking part in elections. These rights are recorded in the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) and in the Federal Elections Act.

The federal election is one of the central forms of political participation in Germany. Anyone who is entitled to vote is listed in the electoral register of the municipality.

In Article 38, the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) names several principles for the federal election. For elections in the federal states (Länder) and municipalities, it prescribes the same principles.

In Article 38, the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) names the principles of the federal election. For elections in the federal states (Länder), districts (Kreise) and municipalities, Article 28 prescribes the same principles. They are thus part of the constitutional order.

Regular elections are a central feature of democracy because they give citizens influence over political developments.