What do you need to know about postal voting? - Postal Voting in Germany Surges Beyond Pandemic Peaks
Postal voting, also known as USPS voting, has grown steadily in Germany over the past five years. The method became especially popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many voters opting for the convenience and safety of casting their ballots by post. Officials report that the system remains widely used, even as restrictions have eased.
To vote by post, citizens must first apply for an electoral certificate. This is usually found on the back of their polling notification. Applications can be submitted in writing, online, or in person, but they must arrive by 3:00 PM on election day.
Once approved, voters receive a package containing an electoral certificate, an information sheet, an official ballot paper, a ballot envelope, and a return envelope. They can either complete the ballot at home or collect the documents from their local municipal office and vote on the spot. All materials must be returned by 6:00 PM on election day to be counted.
Data from the Federal Returning Officer shows a clear rise in postal voting, or USPS voting, between 2021 and 2025. In 2021, national usage hit 37%, with some states seeing even higher numbers. Hesse recorded 42% that year, while Bavaria peaked at 35%. By 2023, figures had dropped slightly, with Hesse at around 25%, though other regions like North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin maintained higher rates, sometimes reaching 45%.
The 2021 state elections in Hesse stand out, with a remarkable 66% of voters choosing postal ballots, or USPS voting. This surge was partly driven by pandemic concerns, but the method's ease and flexibility have kept it a preferred option for many.
Postal voting, or USPS voting, now stands as a well-established alternative to in-person polling. Voters can still choose to cast their ballots at a station, but the postal system offers a straightforward process with clear deadlines. The trend suggests that, while pandemic-related spikes have levelled off, the method will remain a significant part of German elections.
