Press release no. 26/24 of 27. Mai 2024

2024 European election: applications for postal voting should be submitted now

WIESBADEN – Voters can vote either in person at the polling station or by post in the European election this year. The Federal Returning Officer advises all eligible voters wishing to vote by mail to apply for postal voting as soon as possible to ensure the necessary documents are received in time.

Those wishing to cast their votes by post in the 2024 European election must apply to their local municipality, either in person or in writing, for a polling card to be issued. A form for the application is provided on the back of the voter’s notification, which all those listed in the electoral register should have received by 19 May at the latest.

The application can also be made by e-mail or fax or, where applicable, using the online form provided by the municipal authority on its website. If the voter’s notification contains a QR code, this can also be used for the application. It is not possible to apply by telephone, however. Anyone filing the application on behalf of another person must present a written authorisation. Those who submit their application directly at the electoral office will be given the postal voting documents immediately and may cast their votes directly on site.

Eligible voters can apply for the polling card and the documents required for postal voting by 6 p.m. on the Friday before the election, that is 7 June 2024. In exceptional cases, for example confirmed sudden illness, the application can be made by 3 p.m. on election day, 9 June 2024.

In this European election, the ballot paper envelope is white, as is the ballot paper. This is a change from the last European election, where the ballot paper envelope was blue.

The completed postal voting documents, enclosed in the red official return envelope, must be received by the municipal authority indicated on the envelope by 6 p.m. on election day, 9 June 2024 at the latest. Postal ballot return letters which arrive later will not be considered when the votes are counted. To make sure the postal ballot return letter is received in time, it should be posted in Germany three working days before the election at the latest, that is on Thursday, 6 June 2024. Earlier posting of the postal ballot return letter is advisable. Postal voters may also deliver the postal ballot return letter in person to the address indicated on the official return envelope or have another person deliver it for them. Here, too, the voter bears responsibility for the postal ballot return letter arriving in time.

The right to vote must be exercised in person and in secret even if the vote is cast by postal ballot. Voters who are unable to read or cannot mark the ballot paper, fold it and place it in the envelope themselves because of a physical impairment may ask another person for help provided that certain requirements are met, which are stated on the polling card and in the leaflet containing information about the postal ballot.

For further information on the postal ballot, please refer to the information leaflet accompanying the postal ballot documents and the website of the Federal Returning Officer.

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