The 2025 Federal Election is scheduled for February 23, and many voters are expected to opt for postal voting. In light of the early election date, the time frame for casting votes by mail has been shortened significantly. The Federal Returning Officer recommends that voters apply for their postal voting documents as soon as possible, complete them, and return them promptly. This article outlines the necessary steps and deadlines for postal voting.

When Can I Apply for Postal Voting?

Voters can begin applying for postal voting documents immediately. This application can be made as soon as the election date is confirmed, meaning there is no need to wait for the official voting notification to arrive in the mail. However, applying earlier does not guarantee that the postal voting documents will be dispatched sooner.

How to Apply for Postal Voting?

Postal voting documents can be requested from the municipality where you are registered, either by mail, email, fax, or in some cases, online. It is advisable to check the municipality's website to see if they offer online applications. Note that applications cannot be made via phone. Information about postal voting is typically included in the voting notification, which may contain personal QR codes for easier application via smartphone. Voting notifications for the 2025 Federal Election will start being sent out on January 13, 2025. If you have not received your notification by 21 days before the election, you should contact your local municipality.

What Are the Deadlines for Postal Voting in 2025?

The mailing of postal voting documents will commence no sooner than February 10, 2025. This delay is necessary as the party lists must be approved before the ballots can be printed, with the deadline for any party complaints ending on January 30. The deadline to apply for postal voting is February 21, 2025, at 3 PM. To ensure that your ballot is received in time, it should be mailed no later than February 20, 2025, which is the Thursday before the election. It is also possible to deliver your ballot in person to the relevant municipal office.

How to Vote by Mail?

The postal voting package includes a ballot, a postal voting certificate, and two envelopes. Voters must mark their first and second choices on the ballot in a private and secure manner, just as they would in a polling booth. The completed ballot should be placed in the designated envelope. The postal voting certificate requires a signature to verify that the ballot was filled out personally.

In summary, here are the steps for voting by mail:

• Complete the ballot.
• Place the ballot in the blue envelope and seal it.
• Sign the declaration on the postal voting certificate.
• Put both the blue envelope and the signed certificate in the red postal voting envelope.
• Seal the red envelope and return it without postage.

Can I Vote in Person if I Have Applied for Postal Voting?

Yes, if you have applied for postal voting, you can still vote in person. The voter registry will indicate that you have received a postal voting certificate, which can be used on election day at any polling place within your electoral district, as long as it has not yet been returned by mail.

What Should Germans Living Abroad Know About Postal Voting?

Germans residing abroad who are not registered in Germany need to apply to be included in the voter registry from the municipality where they last had their primary residence. Applications for registration must be submitted by February 3 to the relevant local authority, and these applications have been accepted since November 2024. The Federal Foreign Office has indicated that for many citizens living abroad, digital submission of the application form is now possible for the first time. However, for those in countries where postal delivery times are particularly long, the deadlines may still be tight. Consequently, some but not all German diplomatic missions are offering expedited transport of postal voting documents via diplomatic mail or private courier services. Voters abroad should inquire with their respective diplomatic missions about these options.

What Are the Specific Concerns Regarding Postal Voting for the Early Election?

From a legal standpoint, there are no changes to postal voting procedures for this early election compared to previous federal elections. However, several state election officials have urged voters to consider casting their votes in person to avoid overwhelming local authorities and ensure that all votes are accurately counted. Given the limited time frame between the dispatch of ballots and the election day on February 23, concerns have been raised about potential delays in processing.

History of Postal Voting

Postal voting has been a feature of the federal elections since 1957, with the percentage of postal voters steadily increasing. In 2017, over 28% of voters chose to vote by mail, while the figure surged to over 47% during the 2021 election due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is Postal Voting Secure?

When postal voting documents are requested in advance, filled out correctly, and returned on time -- ideally in person -- the process is generally secure. However, it is inherently more prone to errors compared to traditional polling. There is a risk of lost mail leading to uncounted votes, and unlike in polling stations, there is no oversight to ensure that each ballot is filled out personally and confidentially. Past local attempts at election fraud have raised concerns, such as the manipulation of postal voting certificates in recent local and state elections in Saxony, which resulted in invalidated votes. Nonetheless, large-scale manipulations that could alter the outcome of a federal election are considered highly unlikely in Germany, and the counting of postal votes is conducted transparently, allowing for verification if discrepancies are noted.