Certificate of voting rights (support for an election proposal)

In order to stand for election, a certain level of support amongst the population is required. Consequently, all electoral laws stipulate that nominations put forward by parties, electoral groups and independent candidates who are not represented by a minimum number of members in Parliament or the body to be elected must submit a certain number of supporting signatures from eligible voters in order to be admitted to the election

Required for

• European elections
  2,000 for a state list and 4,000 for a federal list
• Bundestag elections
  200 for a district election proposal and 2,000 for a state list
• State parliament elections
  50 for a district election proposal and 1,000 for a state list
• Direct elections
  twice as many signatures as there are seats in the municipal council or district council

Signatures of support must be provided in person and in handwriting on official forms, which are issued by the relevant electoral authorities to the nominators upon request. Each person entitled to vote may support only one nomination with their signature.

For each supporter, their right to vote must be confirmed by the local authority responsible for their main place of residence. The certificate of eligibility to vote is usually issued on the same form on which the supporting signature was provided; it is free of charge.

• For further information