A new state parliament will be elected in Berlin on September 20. (File photo)
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This time around, several things will be different in the September House of Representatives elections. Senator for the Interior Iris Spranger (SPD) and State Election Commissioner Stephan Bröchler pointed this out following the most recent Senate meeting, during which they provided an update on election preparations.
For example, there will now be only one ballot for the first and second votes, instead of two separate ones as before. The new ballot is modeled after the one used in federal elections and is also easier to understand, Bröchler said. Election Sunday will also mark a first: For the first time, citizens who have turned 16 will be eligible to vote in the state legislative elections. Previously, voting at the state level was only permitted for those 18 and older.
There are new rules for election-day records designed to make things easier for the election workers in charge, Bröchler said. In addition, there is a new plan to support election workers in difficult situations, which includes a new practical guide with relevant instructions. About 40,000 election workers will be needed on Election Day, most of whom have already been recruited. There is also a new interactive online training program for election workers.
For the state parliament and district council elections on September 20, 2,542 polling stations and 1,572 absentee ballot centers are to be set up across Berlin. According to Bröchler, that is about ten percent more than in the last election.
From the perspective of the Senator for the Interior, the issue of security plays a central role in the September elections. “Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy,” she said. Ensuring their security is the top priority. It cannot be ruled out that, during the election, third countries may launch disinformation campaigns intended to cast doubt on the election’s legitimacy. It is important to identify such disinformation in a timely manner. The Interior Administration is currently examining the extent to which appropriate software can be used for this purpose. This includes, for example, false reports spread via social media - such as those regarding alleged glitches in the counting of absentee ballots or long lines at polling places.