Majority of German Electorate Supports Online Voting for Bundestag Elections

A recent survey indicates that a significant portion of eligible voters in Germany is in favor of implementing online voting. According to the Digital Association Bitkom, 61 percent of respondents expressed support for the option to cast their votes online during federal, state, or local elections. The interest in online voting is notably higher among younger voters, while acceptance decreases with age.

The survey revealed that 70 percent of participants intend to vote in the upcoming Bundestag elections scheduled for February 23. Among those who might otherwise abstain from voting, 45 percent stated they would participate if online voting were available through smartphones, tablets, or computers.

Bitkom expert Fabian Zacharias emphasized that online voting could enhance voter turnout, lower barriers to participation, and engage individuals with limited mobility or Germans living abroad in the democratic process more effectively. However, he noted that implementing robust security measures, such as strong encryption, multi-factor authentication, and transparent auditing processes, would be essential. If these measures are in place, online voting could be as secure, if not more secure, than traditional voting methods.

Countries like Estonia have been successfully conducting online voting since 2005, while some Swiss cantons also allow online ballots. The Bitkom survey was conducted with 1,002 eligible voters aged 18 and older, from January 6 to January 26.

As the date for the 2025 Bundestag elections approaches, insights from various surveys are shaping expectations around electoral trends and potential coalition outcomes.