The polling card (Wahlbenachrichtigung) is the letter that shows you are entered in the electoral register. If it does not arrive before an election, uncertainty grows quickly. This guide explains what the card is for, which deadlines apply and what you can do if it does not come.
Short answer: The municipality usually sends the polling card four to six weeks before the election, and at the latest by the 21st day before it. If it does not arrive, contact the municipality of your main residence. Without a card you can still go to the polling station, but you risk being turned away if you are not entered in the electoral register. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- The polling card informs you about your entry in the electoral register.
- The municipality usually sends it four to six weeks before the election, and at the latest on the 21st day before.
- If you receive it in time, you can assume that you are entered in the electoral register.
- If it does not arrive, the municipality of your main residence is the right point of contact, up to the 21st day before the election.
- Inspection of the electoral registers and objections are possible from the 20th to the 16th day before the election.
What is the polling card for?
The polling card is an official notice to everyone entitled to vote. It shows that you are entered in the electoral register of the municipality, and it should be brought to the polling station. It is more than a formality, because it is the most visible proof of your entry.
The Federal Returning Officer describes the card as information about your entry, not as a postal voting document. If you only have a polling card, you do not yet have postal voting documents. For those, an application to the responsible municipality is needed, as explained in the guide on applying for a postal vote.
Who receives the card?
The card goes to voters who are entered in the electoral register. The municipality of your main residence is responsible. If you have changed address or hold more than one home, check which address the municipality has on file. The question of your main residence is covered in the guide on voting rights with two residences.
A special rule applies to people without a home. According to the Federal Returning Officer, they are entered in a register only on their own application, and the application must be made no later than the 21st day before the election. In this case too, without an entry there is no card.
When should you act?
The table shows the points in time that follow from official notices. The municipality sets the actual dates for each election, so checking its announcements is always advisable.
| Point in time | What happens | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 weeks before the election | The municipality sends the polling card | Check the address and details |
| By the 21st day before the election | Latest dispatch; the card should have arrived by then | If it has not, contact the municipality |
| 20th to 16th day before the election | Inspection of the electoral registers and objection possible | Check the entry and, if needed, object |
| On election day | Bring the card to the polling station | Bring it along |
The time between dispatch and an objection is shorter than many expect. If you notice a problem only on the 16th day before the election, there is little room left. It is therefore worth checking the card as soon as it arrives.
What to do if the card does not arrive?
If no card has arrived by the 21st day before the election, contact the municipality of your main residence promptly. The purpose of the clarification is to confirm or correct your entry in the electoral register. The following steps help you proceed without losing time.
- First check whether the address to which the card should go is correct and whether post arrives there.
- Contact the municipality of your main residence and ask about your entry in the electoral register.
- Ask for the status to be confirmed, and note the name, date and answer so that you can document the process.
- If the entry is missing, clarify before the 16th day whether a correction is possible.
If you do not receive a card, do not assume that the matter will resolve itself. A short enquiry to the municipality is usually the quickest route, whether you plan to vote by post or at the polling station.
May I vote without a polling card?
Without a card you can go to the polling station. The Federal Returning Officer notes, however, that you can be turned away if you are not entered in the electoral register. The risk is mainly on election day, because there is then little time for clarification.
Postal voting is an alternative if you cannot be present on election day. It also requires an entry in the electoral register and runs through an application to the municipality. Details on the application and the documents are in the guide applying for a postal vote.
Frequently asked questions
Is the polling card enough as identification?
No. The card proves your entry in the electoral register and is not an identity document. According to the Federal Returning Officer, it should be brought to the polling station. If you lose it, contact the municipality.
What if the address on the card is wrong?
Inform the municipality straight away, because the entry in the electoral register may be affected. An objection on the grounds of inaccuracy is possible from the 20th to the 16th day before the election. The municipality determines the exact steps.
Can I still get a card after moving?
That depends on when the registration reaches the municipality and when the registers are compiled. If you move shortly before an election, inform the municipality of your new main residence and the previous one promptly about the status.
Does the card help with voting at my place of study?
It shows the municipality where you are entered in the electoral register. Whether you vote at your place of study depends on where you are entered. The guide on voting rights with two residences gives an overview of which residence applies in which case.
What about my constituency?
The card refers to the election and the polling districts. You can find your constituency in the guide finding your constituency (in German). The guide on first and second votes explains what you do with your vote.
What to do next
- Store the card with your identity documents as soon as it arrives.
- If it has not arrived by the 21st day before the election, contact the municipality of your main residence.
- Decide in good time whether you will vote at the polling station or apply for a postal vote, and keep to the municipality’s deadlines.
Related reading
- Elections 2027: all dates at a glance
- Applying for a postal vote
- Voting rights with two residences
- Finding your constituency (in German)
- First and second vote explained
Sources: Federal Returning Officer, glossary: polling card (in German), Federal Returning Officer, glossary: persons without a residence (in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
