The mailing of official voter notifications for the Bundestagswahl has begun and will be completed by the beginning of February. The letter contains the voter's notification and an application for postal voting documents on the reverse. Citizens with German citizenship and a minimum age of 18 years are entitled to vote in the Bundestagswahl. In Salzgitter, this is around 68,000 people. Anyone who has not received a voter's notification by February 2, 2025 should register at the polling station by February 7, 2025 at the latest.

Because the Bundestagswahl has been brought forward, the period available for postal voting has been shortened. Due to adjusted legal deadlines for the preparation and approval of election proposals, the ballot papers can only be printed from the beginning of February. Accordingly, the postal voting office will not be able to open until 10.02.2025.

There will again be the opportunity to vote directly on site. In the Salzgitter-Bad branch office and in Salzgitter-Lebenstedt town hall, you can vote directly on site in the two postal voting offices at the following times:

Voters do not need an appointment to exercise their right to vote. For quick processing, the electoral office asks that the application for postal voting documents on the back of the election notification be filled out and signed if possible. An official passport or identity card must be kept ready in any case. Anyone wishing to apply for and receive postal voting documents on behalf of another person requires a written power of attorney (maximum 4 persons).

Anyone who is unable to vote at their polling station can apply for a polling card now and make use of the postal voting option. Ballot papers and documents for postal voting for the Bundestagswahl can be obtained from the postal voting office of the City of Salzgitter on written application. The application form on the back of the election notification can be used. It is easier and quicker to apply for postal voting documents by scanning the QR code printed on the front of the polling card. Voters only need a smartphone or tablet to scan the QR code(https://app-13.salzgitter.de/IWS/startini.do?mb=3102000%20) (opens in a new tab). The online form is already pre-filled with the personal data. All that remains to be done is to confirm the data protection provisions. It is not possible to apply for postal voting documents by telephone, but by fax.

Postal voting can be applied for until the Friday before the election, February 21, 2025 by 3.00 pm. From February 19, postal voting documents will only be sent at the risk of the person entitled to vote, as timely delivery cannot be guaranteed. In these cases, postal voting documents should be collected or voted for directly on site.

The special time required for postal voting must be taken into account when submitting the application. If voting documents are to be sent to and from abroad, the postal delivery times in particular must be taken into account. Postal voting should therefore be applied for as early as possible. The postal ballot letter must be received by the office indicated on the postal ballot letter by 6 p.m. on February 23, 2025 at the latest. Under no circumstances may the postal ballot letter be handed in at a polling station. The person entitled to vote must ensure that it is received on time.

The electoral office draws attention to an important permanent change to the postal voting documents. The ballot paper envelope does not have the familiar blue color, but is kept in neutral white. However, the white ballot paper envelope is clearly marked with the words "ballot paper envelope for postal voting".

The postal voting office can also be contacted by email at briefwahlbuerostadt.salzgitterde if you have any queries.