Berlin's state returning officer Bröchler believes Berlin is well prepared for the Bundestag elections.
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Preparations for the early Bundestag elections enter the hot phase in Berlin in mid-January. From January 12, parties will be allowed to put up election posters on the streets and squares.
The election notifications will be sent out from January 14. "From then on, postal voting documents can be applied for," said Stephan Bröchler, state election director. However, they will not be sent out until four weeks later.
A very important date is January 30, when the state and federal election committees meet, said Bröchler. Only then will the ballot papers go to print, once a final decision has been made on the approved parties and candidates. The last election notifications should be delivered on February 2. The distribution of postal voting documents will begin on February 10. Around 2.4 million people are entitled to vote in Berlin. Around 3.3 million ballot papers will be printed this time to avoid the same bottlenecks that occurred during the election in September 2021. "We won't get rid of 2021 completely," said Bröchler.
On election day, February 23, voters will be able to cast their votes at 2,200 polling stations. In addition, 1,205 postal polling stations are planned. He is expecting a high voter turnout of "80 percent plus x", said Bröchler. What concerns him is the shortened postal voting period of only two weeks instead of the usual six weeks, said the state election director. "It won't be a walk in the park," he said. "We are assuming a postal vote share of 45 to 50 percent."
Anyone who is unable to vote at a polling station on election day should not leave their postal voting documents lying around for long after receiving them, but should vote as soon as possible. An alternative is to vote by post on site at the district polling stations. This is the safest way to vote by post. Eligible voters can also collect their postal voting documents from the postal voting office or vote there immediately afterwards. According to Bröchler, extended opening hours have been agreed with the districts this time. From February 10, they will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. There will be additional opening hours on February 15, a Saturday, from 8 am to 1 pm and on the Friday before the election from 8 am to 3 pm. Individual districts also want to open their polling stations beyond this, as Bröchler said. Information on this can be found on the election notification.
There are already enough election helpers available in Berlin. Around 36,600 volunteers are needed in all districts combined. In the meantime, even more interested people have already registered. "This shows that many people are not tired of working for democracy." The election helpers receive up to 120 euros for their commitment. Bröchler announced a campaign under the motto "Democracy inspires Berlin" to encourage participation in the election. Among other things, videos on YouTube and Instagram are planned.