In Baden-Württemberg’s mayoral election, citizens directly elect their mayor. The candidate who receives more than half of the valid votes in the first round is elected; if this majority is not achieved, a second round of voting takes place. The term of office is generally eight years. German citizens and citizens of the European Union who have reached the age of 16 by Election Day and have been registered with their primary residence in Offenburg for at least three months are eligible to vote.
Information About the Mayoral Election
Germans as defined in Article 116(1) of the Basic Law, as well as citizens of the European Union who, on Election Day,
- have reached the age of 16
- have had their primary residence in Offenburg for at least three months or otherwise habitually reside there, and
- are not excluded from the right to vote.
All eligible voters whose main residence is registered in Offenburg (deadline: 42nd day before the election) and who meet the above requirements are automatically entered in the electoral register of the city of Offenburg. Based on this entry in the voters’ register, voter notifications will be sent out in due course (at the latest on the 21st day before the election).
If you have not received a voter notification by this time, you should contact your municipality to clarify whether you have been properly entered in the voters’ register.
Postal voting documents can be applied for using the form on the election notification, via the QR code on your election notification or online. The link will be activated as soon as possible. A telephone application is not permitted by law.
The mailing of postal voting documents is expected to begin at the end of January/beginning of February.
You also have the opportunity to vote directly at the polling station (Am Fischmarkt 2, 77652 Offenburg) during the respective opening hours.
You will receive your voting documents on site with your voter’s notification and your ID/passport and will be able to vote there.
Ballots returned by mail must be received by the city administration no later than 6:00 p.m. on Election Day. Absentee ballots received after that time will not be counted.
Absentee ballot materials can be deposited in any Deutsche Post AG mailbox without postage. Due to varying mail delivery times, please use this method no later than Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
It is also possible to submit mail-in ballots later directly to the city administration at the following locations:
– Election Office, Am Fischmarkt 2.
– Historic City Hall, Hauptstraße 90
– Local administrative offices in Bohlsbach, Bühl, Elgersweier, Fessenbach, Griesheim, Rammersweier, Waltersweier, Weier, Windschläg, Zell-Weierbach, and Zunsweier.
On presentation of a medical certificate, you can apply to vote by post at the polling station in the BürgerBüro, Am Fischmarkt 2, 77652 Offenburg, until 3 p.m. on election day. A person you have authorized by proxy can collect the voting documents for you there.
Voting ballots may be requested until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, the Friday before the election. On Election Day itself, this is only possible if a sudden illness is certified by a doctor.
We recommend that you go to the electoral office in person on the Friday before the election and apply for replacement documents. You can also vote there directly.
No, you can only vote at the polling station indicated on your polling card, unless you have applied for postal voting beforehand. In this case, you can vote at any Offenburg polling station by means of a “polling card”, which will be sent to you with your postal voting documents. To do so, you will need your polling card and your identity card.
To vote, you will need your voter registration notice and a valid form of identification (ID card or passport).
You are not allowed to vote without a valid ID document, even if you have your polling card with you. This is the only way to ensure that the person actually entitled to vote votes.
No, to ensure the secrecy of the vote, photography is not permitted in the polling booth.
How do you vote at the polling station?
The polling stations are open on election day in Offenburg, in the city center and in the districts, from 8 am to 6 pm. The name and address of your polling station are printed on your polling card.
Every eligible voter has one vote, which can be used to elect a candidate.
No possibility to vote at the polling station?
If it is not possible to vote in person at the polling station on election day, it is possible to vote in advance by postal vote. You can find details on the procedure and how to apply for postal voting here: Postal voting
1. voting in person at the polling station - arrival at the polling station
To vote on election day, voters must identify themselves at their assigned polling station with their polling card or identity document.
2. verification of eligibility to vote
The electoral board checks voters' eligibility to vote using the electoral roll. All eligible voters on this list then receive a ballot paper.
3. receipt of the ballot paper
Voters receive the ballot paper for the state election.
4. voting booth
Voters go into the polling booth to ensure the secrecy of their vote.
5. casting the vote
In the polling booth, eligible voters can mark their choice on the corresponding field on the ballot paper (e.g. by ticking it).
6. fold the ballot paper inwards
After casting their vote, voters fold the ballot paper so that their vote is not visible.
7. deposit ballot paper in ballot box
Voters leave the polling booth and drop the folded ballot paper for the state election into the ballot box.
The five principles of electoral law
The mayor is the chairperson of the municipal council and heads the municipal administration.
He or she is the representative and legal representative of the municipality.
Find your polling station
The polling station is printed on your polling card. If you do not have it to hand, you can find your polling station here:
Topic
Federal election
Topic
State election
