Apply for a postal vote
Service description
If you have received a voter registration notice but are unable or unwilling to vote in person at your polling place on Election Day, you can request the necessary materials to vote by mail. You will find the appropriate application form on the back of your voter registration notice. You can apply for an absentee ballot in writing or in person at your local municipal office.
You will then receive the following election materials:
- a ballot
- an official ballot
- an official ballot envelope
- an official light red ballot envelope and
- A fact sheet with important information about voting by mail.
If you pick up your voter registration card and absentee ballot materials in person at city or municipal hall, you can also cast your vote right there on the spot. The administration will ensure that you can mark your ballot in private and place it in the ballot envelope.
If you are unable to cast your vote by mail on your own due to a physical disability or reading and writing difficulties, another person may assist you. Your helper must
- be at least 16 years old,
- certify in an affidavit that the ballot was marked in accordance with your stated intent, and
- keep the information obtained about your vote confidential.
Procedure
You can apply for your polling card as follows:
- You go to the city or municipal administration in person and pick up the polling card there,
- You submit a written application - use the form on the back of the election notification,
- You apply for the polling card electronically if your city or municipality offers such a procedure (online application, e-mail),
- You ask a representative who has your written authorization to collect the documents for you.
It is not possible to apply by telephone.
Prerequisites
- You are eligible to vote in the relevant election and are entered in the electoral roll.
- If you are submitting an application on behalf of another person: You have a written power of attorney.
What documents are required?
- Application for an absentee ballot, including personal information:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Address
- In the case of representation: written power of attorney
- Application for an absentee ballot, including personal information:
What fees apply?
There are no costs.
What deadlines do I have to observe?
You will receive your polling card at least 3 weeks before election day. If you have not received it in time, please contact your city or municipal administration.
As a rule, you must have applied for your absentee ballot by 3:00 p.m. no later than 2 days before Election Day.
The postal voting documents must be received by the municipality by 6 p.m. on election day at the latest.
If you applied for a ballot for a federal election but never received it or have lost it, you can obtain a new ballot by 12:00 p.m. on the day before Election Day. To do so, contact your city or municipal administration.
Legal basis
Legal remedy
- Objection
- Further information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the rejection of your application for a polling card
What else should I know?
It is not possible to apply by telephone.
Further information
Author
Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal- Issue of polling card in Rhineland-Palatinate
Display of performance in the source portal
- Apply for a postal vote
Display of performance in the source portal
- Issue of polling card in Rhineland-Palatinate