Then close the box and use this Website in German.
apply for a postal vote
Are you entitled to vote and would like to vote in a different polling station or take part in the election by postal vote? Then you must apply for a polling card.
-
Basic information
If you have received a polling card but cannot or do not want to vote in your electoral district on election day, you can apply for postal voting documents. The postal voting documents sent to you contain the polling card.
The polling card is an official document. The polling card contains a declaration in lieu of an oath, which must be signed in order for your postal vote to be valid. In European and Bundestag elections, the polling card can also be used to vote at a polling station other than the one assigned to you. This is not possible for state and local elections.
The polling card will indicate where and how you can apply for postal voting documents.
If you are unable to use the designated polling station due to a disability, you can also apply for a polling card.
If you collect your polling card and postal voting documents in person from the electoral office, you will have the opportunity to cast your vote on the spot. The electoral office will ensure that you can mark your ballot paper unobserved and place it in the ballot paper envelope.
Requirements
You are eligible to vote in the relevant election and are registered on the electoral roll. You can check whether you meet the requirements for eligibility to vote in the respective election on the website of the electoral office. You will find the link under "Further information" - "Information from the Bremen Electoral Office".
If you are applying on behalf of another person: You must submit a written power of attorney. Please note that an authorized person can apply for or collect postal voting documents for a maximum of 4 people.
-
Procedure
You can apply for your polling card as follows:
- You apply for the polling card electronically (online application),
- You come to the electoral office in person and collect your polling card there,
- You submit an (informal) written application by post, fax or e-mail - you can use the form on the back of the election notification,
- You ask a representative who has your written authorization to apply for and collect the documents for you.
It is not possible to apply by telephone.
-
Necessary Documents
- Providing personal data
(Name, date of birth, registration address/main address, different shipping address if applicable)
- Written power of attorney if a third person is to submit the application for you or receive your documents.
You will find a template for completing the power of attorney on the back of your election notification.
- Providing personal data
-
Competent Department
-
Bremen State Statistical Office – Postal voting Statistisches Landesamt Bremen - Briefwahl
- +49 421 361 88888
- +49 421 496 2287
- An der Weide 50 A, 28195 Bremen
- Website
- briefwahl
@statistik. bremen. de
-
Hemelingen Local Authority Office – Postal Voting Centre Ortsamt Hemelingen - Briefwahlausgabe
- +49 421 361 88888
- +49 421 496 2278
- Godehardstraße 19, Im Ortsamt Osterholz, 28309 Bremen
- Website
- briefwahl
@statistik. bremen. de
-
Huchting Local Authority Office – Absentee Ballot Centre Ortsamt Huchting - Briefwahlausgabe
- +49 421 361 88888
- +49 421 496 2278
- Franz-Löbert-Platz 1, Im Ortsamt Huchting, 28259 Bremen
- Website
- briefwahl
@statistik. bremen. de
-
Vegesack Local Authority Office – Absentee Voting Centre Ortsamt Vegesack – Briefwahlausgabe
- +49 421 361 88888
- +49 421 496 2278
- Gerhard-Rohlfs-Straße 62, Im Ortsamt Vegesack, 28757 Bremen
- Website
- briefwahl
@statistik. bremen. de
-
West Local Office – Absentee Ballot Collection Point Ortsamt West - Briefwahlausgabe
- +49 421 361 88888
- +49 421 496 2278
- Waller Heerstraße 99, Im Ortsamt West, 28219 Bremen
- Website
- briefwahl
@statistik. bremen. de
-
-
Online Services
-
Application for a polling card (postal vote)
You can apply online for postal voting documents to be sent to you. This service is available from approx. 6 weeks before the respective election.
-
-
Fees / Costs
There are postage costs if the application is sent to the electoral office by post. There are no other costs.
-
Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
You will receive your election notification at least 3 weeks before election day. If you have not received it in time, please contact the electoral office.
You must have applied for a polling card no later than 2 days before election day, 3 p.m.
The completed postal voting documents must be received by the electoral office by 6 p.m. on election day at the latest.
If you have applied for a polling card but never received it, you can obtain a new one up to 3 p.m. on the Friday before election day. To do so, please contact the electoral office.
How long does it take to process
Internal processing takes two days plus the usual postal delivery times depending on the destination address.
-
Legal Bases
- § 17 Absatz 2 Bundeswahlgesetz (BWahlG)
- § 25 Bundeswahlverordnung (BWO)
- § 27 Bundeswahlverordnung (BWO)
- § 28 Bundeswahlordnung (BWO)
- § 29 Bundeswahlordnung (BWO)
- § 31 Bundeswahlordnung (BWO)
- § 36 Bundeswahlgesetz (BWahlG)
- Section 17(2) of the Federal Elections Act (BWahlG)
- Section 25 of the Federal Electoral Regulations (BWO)
- Section 27 of the Federal Electoral Regulations (BWO)
- Section 28 of the Federal Electoral Regulations (BWO)
- Section 29 of the Federal Electoral Regulations (BWO)
- Section 31 of the Federal Electoral Regulations (BWO)
- Section 36 of the Federal Elections Act (BWahlG)
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct.
Updated on 12.09.2026