How does voting work?

In the Munich local elections, I can vote every six years. Three times: for the Lord Mayor, the City Council and the District Committee for your city district. While the election of the Lord Mayor is very clear – simply tick a candidate – the election of the City Council and District Committees is somewhat more complicated. If I would rather do the voting in peace while drinking coffee – no problem! The ballot papers are also delivered directly to your home. Vote simply by absentee ballot.

May I vote?

older than 18 years
German passport
or EU citizen*
main residence Munich for at least 2 months

May I vote?
To the check

How does voting work?

Wie läuft die Wahl des Stadtrats?

Toll, dass ich bei der Stadtratswahl so viele Möglichkeiten habe, meine Stimmen abzugeben! Aber was geht und was geht nicht?

Lord Mayor

City council

District committee

The election of the Lord Mayor

Who do I vote for?

Each party (or voter grouping) may nominate one Lord Mayor candidate. Candidates must not be older than 66 years and must have German citizenship.

And how does that work now?

The Lord Mayor election is very clear in the right column the names and professions of the candidates are listed. In the left column, the party (or voter internal grouping) to which they belong. I’m only allowed to place one cross in this election.

Then what happens to my vote?

Bei der OB-Wahl gilt die absolute Mehrheit. Das heißt, es gewinnt, wer mehr als die Hälfte der Stimmen erreicht. Es passiert öfter, dass kein*e Kandidierende die absolute Mehrheit erreicht. Dann kommt es zu einer Stichwahl zwischen den beiden Kandidierenden mit den meisten Stimmen. Bei der Stichwahl müssen alle noch mal an die Urne und können diesmal aber nur zwischen diesen beiden Kandidierenden wählen. Wer dann die meisten Stimmen bekommt, wird OB. Ist eine Stichwahl notwendig, findet sie genau zwei Wochen nach dem Termin der Kommunalwahl statt.

The election of the city council

The election of the city council is unfortunately somewhat more complicated. That’s why there’s a great wall newspaper to order here, where everything is explained in detail once again.

Who do I vote for?

At first glance, the ballot paper for the city council election is somewhat overtaxing. There are lots of columns with numbers and below them lots of names with even more numbers. The columns are the lists. Each party (or voter groups) draw up a list of candidates for election. Each list can have a maximum of 80 names. These are the list places or the candidates. They appear with their name and professional title. In other words, I cannot necessarily read on the ballot paper what the individual candidates are advocating. Therefore, it makes sense that I inform myself about the candidates and their program beforehand. Or at least about the parties (voter groups). So that I know what they actually have in mind for the next six years with Munich.

I and my 80 votes – quick check:

I can put a cross on a list and I am done voting.
I can place a cross on a list and remove candidates who do not suit me from that list.
I can vote for individual candidates.
Also from different lists.
I can give a candidate up to three votes.
I can set a list cross and additionally vote for candidates from other lists.

Not bad, huh?

Accu things and Pana-what?!

With the city council elections, I have the opportunity to vote not only for parties (or voter groups), but also for specific people. And not always the ones I like are in the same party (or voter groups). So, if I want to vote candidate X from list A and candidate Y from list D – then I can! Though those are in different parties (or voter groups). And that means panache. And accumulate? That is, I would like as much of candidate X as possible. Then I can just give that person more than one vote. But the most three. I can write a 2 or 3 in the corresponding box instead of making a cross. Or put several crosses in the box. Then there are also people who are pre-accumulated, who are simply on the ballot paper several times. Or have several checkboxes next to their name. This is especially important when I set a list cross. Because that doesn’t necessarily distribute my 80 votes evenly among the people on that list. But people who are pre-accumulated get more votes. Of course, if I don’t want to, I can stop at any time

Extra wishes – no problem!

I can vote for a party (or voter groups) by a list cross. And in addition, I can directly mark (panache) candidates from other lists. If I find a person especially great, I can also put a cross for them several times. But maximum three times (cumulate). And if I think the party (or voter groups) is great, but I don’t like candidate X of this list at all, then I can just delete it. That means just cross out the name.

Attention, invalid!

In general, the following applies: the voters will must be identifiable! This means that if I cast 300 votes all over the piece of paper, or simply cross all the lists, then I probably didn’t think much of it. So: invalid. Unfortunately, this is also the case when I have carefully distributed my crosses to all my candidates* and then still miscounted myself… There’s no problem in giving too few votes. The ballot paper remains valid.

Then what happens to my vote?

The first thing to be clarified is how many seats a party gets. For this purpose, the percentage (of the total number of votes) a party has received is calculated. For example, if a party has achieved 30% of the votes, it also gets 30% of the seats in the city council. 24 of them. The next step is to determine who from the party gets these seats. The individual votes are now important here. All votes that a person has received (whether through list crosses or direct crosses) are added together. And the ones with the most votes get the seat on the city council. It is clear that candidates who have been heavily cumulated have a better chance of getting seats.

The election of your district committee

Vote for the district committee. Sure, just for your municipality. Depending on the size of your municipality, there are more or less seats on the district committee. The principle in this election is the same as in the city council election. I get to vote a list, cumulate it, panache it or cross it out. Here, too, I am allowed to place as many crosses as there are seats.

What do elections bring?

Just food that comes on the table? No. Then I better vote.

Who do I vote for?

Set up my personal dream team? Sure, in the Munich local elections.

How does my city work?

Teamplay in the first league? Welcome to Munich’s city politics.

0

5 % hurdle

A 5% hurdle means that parties must receive at least 5% of the voters votes in order to enter parliament. In Germany, this applies to Bundestag elections and state elections. There is no such hurdle in local elections. That is, all votes count. Whoever wants to know it exactly takes look at the law over the election of the local councillors, the Lord Mayors, the district assemblies and the land councillors (Communities and district election law – GLKrWG).

A

Absentee ballot

If I am prevented from voting on the day of the election, I can apply to the district administration department (KVR) of the state capital Munich for an absentee ballot. This means that all ballot papers for the local elections (city council, Lord Mayor and district committee) are sent to my home by post. There I can fill in the ballot paper in peace and send them back to the KVR by post. The secret of the election will always be kept!

Administration / City administration

The administration takes care of all public affairs, such as issuing passports, issuing building permits and tax revenues. For this purpose, the administration is divided into different departments which are responsible for the respective areas. The administration implements the resolutions of the Lord Mayor and city council. The Lord Mayor is the head of the administration.

B

Building committee

The building committee deals with building in Munich. Development plans are discussed and it is clarified what consequences the plans can have for the residents.

Budget

The budget is a term for the total income and expenditure of a city.

Breakfast manager

A breakfast manager is a person who has a profession in a high position, for example a director, but does not actually do any or many tasks in this position.

Ballot paper

A ballot paper is a paper used for voting. All candidates are printed on it. On the ballot paper I can tick the candidates of my choice and thus participate in the election.

C

Cumulate

Cumulation is the multiple casting of one’s own vote for a single candidate. This can be used to increase the chances of the desired candidate in a targeted manner. Up to three votes can be cast for one person at the city council and district elections in Munich.

Control centre

A control centre is actually a central area of a large plant from which all functions and connections can be controlled and steered. Here it stands for the tasks and position held by the Lord Mayor.

City treasurer

The City Treasurer heads the City Treasurer’s Office. She/he draws up the budget and is responsible for the financial affairs of a municipality alongside the Lord Mayor or district administrator.

Candidates

Candidates are the people who run and can be elected in an election.

City Council

The City Council consists of 80 elected representatives from different parties. The city council forms committees on specific topics and makes important decisions on city politics. The chairmanship of the city council meetings is held by the Lord Mayor. At the same time the city council supervises the work of the administration and the Lord Mayor.

Concern

A concern is a wish or an important thing for you. Citizens can address their concerns to politicians. Politicians should then ensure that the concerns of citizens are implemented.

Committees

Committees are work groups of the city council that can discuss details and clarify facts on a topic. Thus, not all members of the city council need to know about all areas of local politics. Committees often draw up resolution drafts, which are then decided on by the city council as a whole. If it is not about money, however, they can also decide on proposals independently.

D

Democracy

A democracy is a form of government based on democratic principles. This means that all power emanates from the citizens by determining their representation and thus also their government through regular elections. The principles of democracy include the inviolability of human dignity and freedom and equality before the law.

District committee

The city of Munich has 25 district committees, one for each municipality. They are the local contacts for the citizens and communicate the wishes and problems of the citizens to the city council and administration. They can also make their own decisions concerning the district. The district committees are directly elected by the citizens. The word “BA” is often abbreviated.

Department

Departments are part of the city administration and are responsible for certain tasks. Since they concern certain topics such as building, sport or social affairs, they are also referred to as subject departments. A department implements the resolutions of the City Council and organises the municipal tasks that fall within its area of responsibility.

Democracy Mobile

The Democracy Mobile is a project supported by the Special Office for Democracy and is located at the Kreisjugendring München-Stadt. In the run-up to elections, the Democracy Mobile visits important places in Munich. The employees try to come into contact with the people there and discuss democracy and basic democratic values. I can look up the dates here: www.demokratiemobil.de

E

Electoral notification

I will receive the electoral notification when I have been correctly entered in the electoral roll. There I can also see which polling stations I can go to and how I apply for absentee ballot if I am prevented from voting on the day of the election . If I have lost my election notification or cannot find it on election day, I can vote at my polling station at any time with a valid ID document.

Electoral alliances

An electoral alliance is the union of different parties or voter groups. They usually have similar political ideas and a common electoral goal. One reason for a merger may be that smaller parties do not compete with each other and improve their chances of being elected.

38,000 LHM employees

LHM is the abbreviation for Landeshauptstadt München (City of Munich). The LHM employs 38,000 people. For example, educators, administrative employees or teachers.

Election workers

Any citizen can become an election worker. It is a voluntary (i.e. unpaid) activity. However, each election assistant receives a “refreshment money” which is between 35 – 50.-. The task of the election assistants is to hand out the ballot papers on election day and to count the votes after the polling station has closed. As a rule, the deployment of an election assistant is from 7:00 – 20:00 on election day. In order to work as an election worker, I do not need any previous knowledge. The task is really important and I can participate: http://www.muenchen.de/dienstleistungsfinder/muenchen/1078387/

F

Finances

Finances is a collective term for everything that has to do with money. And so that new streets can be built in a city like Munich or the old primary school can be renovated, the finances have to be taken care of.

G

Gear oil

Gear oil actually belongs in the engine, for example in a car. Here it is a picture that the work of the Lord Mayor ensures that everything runs like (with gear oil) lubricated.

Global

Global is everything that affects the entire world.

GLKrWG

Act on the Election of Municipal Councils, Lord Mayors, District Assemblies and County Councils (Municipal and County Election Act – GLKrWG). The GLKrWG regulates exactly who can vote and how to vote for all municipalities in Bavaria.

Gender-friendly language

Gender-friendly language is also referred to as gender-fair language. The point here is that the male form is often used in German, and that completely different people are also meant. This may make some people feel excluded or not addressed. In order for everyone to be involved, there is gender-friendly language.

H

Head of the city

see Lord Mayor

Housing policy

Housing policy is a branch of politics that revolves around housing and living in a city. The focus is on questions and demands for sufficient and affordable housing for citizens.

L

List places

List places determine the sequence of candidates on the ballot paper. This order influences the voting chances of the individual candidates, if a cross is also placed on the list.

Local politics

Local politics refers to all activities and decisions that affect the coexistence of people in a municipality. People in different groups work together on different topics, such as city councils or local councils. As a citizen I am also part of this local policy and can, for example, influence future personnel and property decisions by participating in the local elections.

Local elections

Local elections are the elections in a municipality. In the local elections, the Lord Mayor, the city council and the district committees are elected. In Munich, local elections are held every six years. The next local election is on 15/03/2020. The results of the last local elections can be found here.

List cross

The 80 votes in the local elections can be cast not only individually, but also collectively on a party’s list. This simplifies voting. The votes are then distributed among the first 80 candidates on the elected list. If someone marks more than one list, his/her vote is invalid.

Lord Mayor’s Office

The Lord Mayor’s Office is an important position in local politics and is occupied by one person. He or she brings his or her own themes into city politics and thus shapes the image of the city. The Lord Mayor is the head of the administration and chairs the meetings of the city council.

Local

The Lord Mayor’s Office is an important position in local politics and is occupied by one person. He or she brings his or her own themes into city politics and thus shapes the image of the Local, refers to a small geographical space, i.e. to one’s own environment. . The Lord Mayor is the head of the administration and chairs the meetings of the city council.

M

Municipality – City district

Large towns are usually divided into districts, which has benefits for political and administrative work. City districts are usually defined geographically. It is possible that a municipality comprises of several city districts (e.g. Ramersdorf-Perlach). However, the district can also make up only one part of a district or both are even identical, as in the case of the municipality and city district Laim in Munich.

Municipality

To be able to manage a country like Germany, it is divided into different levels. There are federal states, counties, districts and also municipalities, which can combine different towns, communities or regions. This means that wishes and problems are put on the table more quickly, because local people know best what their city districts need. In large towns such as Munich, the city is a separate municipality.

O

Organ

An organ is part of a larger whole. In local politics, the organs are the individual parts that ensure that all tasks in the municipality are fulfilled. There are executive, legislative and controlling tasks. Organs of Munich’s local politics are, for example, the Lord Mayor, the city council and the district committees.

P

Polling station

If I do not vote by absentee ballotI’m going to the polling station on March 15. On my electoral notificationit says where the polling station is where I am registered and which is closest to me. If I have my electoral notification with me, I can also vote in another polling station. I should also have an identity document, e.g. identity card, with me. The polling station is called “Local”, but you can only vote from the menu “Lord Mayor, city council and district committee”. Drinks are not available there. My election notification also states whether the polling station is barrier-free. This is explained in more detail here.

Passport – Identity Card – Nationality

A passport is official proof of a person’s identity. You can have a passport or identity card or both. The documents shall also indicate nationality. It indicates the legal affiliation to a state, from which rights and obligations arise for the individual person. A German passport identifies me as a German citizen.

Proportional representation / proportional representation system

The proportional system stands in contrast to the majority system. All democratic electoral procedures are based on one of the two systems. In Germany, the proportional electing system is primarily used. The number of seats the parties receive in the parliaments (mandates) is directly proportional to the number of votes they have received. The aim is to achieve a better representation of the votes. In addition, it usually leads to several parties having seats in parliament. In a majority vote, the votes of parties with a small share of the vote are simply lost. This often results in a two-party system.

Participation

Participation is the taking part in the political and social events in the community. This means, for example, access to public cultural and leisure facilities and the use of public services such as parks, public transport and the like. It can also mean taking part in political events. For example, in political decision-making processes, such as membership of a party or participation in elections.

Proxy

To proxy someone means to give someone permission to do something on my behalf. Like making a decision on my behalf.

Parliamentary Group, City Council Parliamentary Group

A Parliamentary Group is a group or camp within an organisation. So, in this case it’s about a group within the city council. In most cases, members of a Parliamentary Group belong to the same party.

Protagonist

Protagonist is a person who plays an (important) role.

Politics

Politics encompasses all matters, questions, problems and decisions that govern the coexistence of people.

Pleum Online – City council meeting in livestream

All interested citizens have the possibility to follow the plenary sessions of the city council in the livestream. Many other committee meetings are also open to the public, but are not yet broadcast.

Player

Player refers to one or more persons who play an important or prominent role in Munich’s local politics. Kind of like a leading actor in a film.

Parties

Citizens who share political ideas and interests can form parties.

Panachalization

Panachalization is the possibility to distribute one’s own 80 votes among candidates of different parties.

R

Resolutions

Resolutions are decisions taken on a specific subject. In most cases, these resolutions refer to proposals for a city council proposal. This contains proposals from the administration. A topic is discussed in committees or in the city council, then a resolution is taken, which is binding for the administration, and applies to the Lord Mayer and is implemented by him/her.

Resolution draft

A resolution draft is a proposal that has been prepared after deliberations to be submitted to the city council or a committee for a vote.

Right to vote / active and passive

To take part in the local elections in Munich I must: have a German passport or be an EU citizen*, have been living in Munich for at least two months and be 18 years old on the day of the election. If this is fulfilled, it means active right to vote. In order to be elected as a candidate in the election, I need the right to stand as a candidate. There are different conditions for this, depending on which office I want to be elected for. For the office of the Lord Mayor, I may be a maximum of 66 years old and must have had my main residence in Munich for at least three months. To be elected to my county council, I must be of legal age. And I have been living in that district for at least three months.

RIS – Council Information System

The RIS is the digital database of Munich local politics. Here the members of the city council, the employees of the administration and also all citizens can see inquiries, proposals and resolutions. Here you can see when the next General Assembly is or when the Labour and Economic Affairs Committee is meeting and what is on its agenda. So, what it is going to be dealing with in the next session. The RIS also provides information on the work and meetings of the district committees in the same way. https://www.ris-muenchen.de/

S

Subject departments

See Department

Special Office for Democracy

The Special Office for Democracy was founded by the Lord Mayor of the state capital of Munich and is responsible for promoting democracy and combating anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of group-based misanthropy throughout the city. muenchen.de/demokratie

Spokespersons

Spokespersons represent the department.

T

Turnout

Voter turnout indicates how many people in Munich participate in the local elections. Just over one million people in Munich were eligible to vote in the 2014 local elections. However, only around 450000 people made use of their right to vote. Voter turnout was thus 42%.

Town Hall

The Town Hall is the central building and as such the political heart of a municipality. For example, the city council meetings are held there and the city administration is also located there. The Lord Mayor and many authorities, such as the residents registration office, have their offices there.

U

Urban society

An urban society refers to all people who live together in a city.

V

Voter groups

Voter groups can run for elections without being a political party. To this end, non-party citizens with the same political goals join together. Often voter groups arise from citizens’ initiatives.