Home > 1.3.2.2.2 Distance voting > GERMANY - Federal Electoral Regulations
 
 
 
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Article 66
 

Postal Ballot

(1) Anyone voting by postal ballot shall

mark the ballot paper personally, put it in the official voting envelope and seal the voting envelope,

sign the affidavit regarding the postal ballot printed on the polling card and enter the place and date of signature,

insert the sealed official voting envelope and the signed polling card into the official postal ballot envelope,

seal the postal ballot envelope, and

post the ballot letter to the competent authority specified in Paragraph 2 and designated on the postal ballot envelope in good time. The ballot letter may also be handed in to the authority in question. Once the ballot letter has been received by the competent authority, it may not be returned.

(2) The ballot letters must be received by the District Returning Officer of the constituency for which the polling card is valid. If Electoral Boards are appointed for one or more communes within the constituency by virtue of an order pursuant to Article 8 (3) of the Law, the ballot letters must be received by the local authority which has issued the polling cards; if Postal Ballot Boards are appointed for each district within a constituency, the ballot letters must be received by the administration of the district in which the communes that issued the polling cards are located.

(3) The ballot paper shall be marked and put in the voting envelope without being observed; Article 56 (8) shall apply as appropriate. If the voter has had his or her ballot paper marked by a helper, the latter shall affirm that he or she has marked the ballot in accordance with the stated wish of the voter by signing the affidavit regarding the postal ballot.

(4) In hospitals, nursing and residential homes for the elderly, nursing homes, convalescent homes and socio-therapeutic and penal institutions, as well as collective accommodation, care shall be taken to ensure that the ballot paper can be marked and placed in the voting envelope without being observed. The management of the establishment shall designate a suitable room, have it furnished and equipped and advise the persons eligible to vote of the times at which the room is available for exercise of the postal vote. Article 56 (8) shall apply as appropriate.

(5) The local authority of the commune shall inform the management of the establishments within its commune of the provisions of Paragraph 4 above not later than the thirteenth day before the election.