ADVERTISING
Important information regarding eligibility to vote and postal voting
Election notices for the elections to the city council, the Wixhausen local council, and the foreign residents' advisory council on Sunday, March 15, 2026, are currently being sent by mail. According to the city's election office, they should be delivered to all eligible voters in the city of Darmstadt no later than Saturday, February 22, 2026.
The election notification already contains a form on the back with which postal voting documents can be requested.
Who is eligible to vote?
All Germans as defined in Article 116, Paragraph 1 of the Basic Law, as well as citizens of other EU member states, who have reached the age of 18 on election day (i.e., were born no later than March 15, 2008), are eligible to vote in the elections for the Darmstadt City Council and the Wixhausen Local Advisory Board. Furthermore, they must have had their primary residence in Darmstadt for at least six weeks, i.e., since February 1, 2026. This also applies to the Wixhausen Local Advisory Board election. Finally, they must not be disenfranchised.
Foreign residents subject to registration requirements – including stateless persons – are eligible to vote in the election of the Foreigners' Advisory Council, provided they are at least 18 years old on election day, have had their main residence in Darmstadt since February 1, 2026, and are not excluded from voting.
Anyone who has not received a voter notification by February 22, 2026, but believes they are eligible to vote, should contact the electoral office no later than Thursday, February 27, 2026. The electoral office can be reached by telephone at 06151 13-3007.
Sample ballot papers can be viewed online and on-site
Sample ballot papers are no longer sent to all households by post. They are available online at
https://www.darmstadt.de/rathaus/wahlen/kommunalwahlen-in-darmstadt/informationen-und-antragsformulare
In addition, sample ballot papers have been available at the registration office and at the registration offices in Arheilgen, Eberstadt and Wixhausen since February 2nd.
Postal voting: Early application recommended
Applications for postal voting documents can be submitted online, by email, or by post. Please allow several days for postal delivery times when using these methods. The same applies to returning the ballot to the electoral office. Voters are responsible for ensuring their ballot arrives no later than 6 p.m. on election day.
Alternatively, ballot papers can also be handed in personally to the electoral office or placed in the mailbox there.
Postal voting documents can also be applied for in person at the postal voting office of the electoral office. This is located at Luisenplatz 5, 64283 Darmstadt, on the 2nd floor at counters 15 to 18. No appointment is necessary. All you need is an identity card or other identification document and – if available – your voter notification. The documents will be issued immediately, eliminating postal delays. You can also fill out your postal ballot directly in a voting booth and hand in your sealed ballot envelope. The postal voting office is already open.
Further information
All information regarding the 2026 local elections in Darmstadt can be found online at:
www.darmstadt.de/kommunalwahl
