The ballot paper for the Bundestag election has two votes, and each does something different. With your first vote (Erststimme) you choose a person who should represent your constituency in parliament. With your second vote (Zweitstimme) you choose a party list for the state, and this largely determines how seats in the Bundestag are distributed among the parties. Anyone who keeps the two votes apart will understand the whole electoral system much faster.
In short: The first vote elects a person for your constituency. The second vote elects a state list of a party, and it largely decides how seats are allocated. The legal basis is § 1 para. 2 of the Federal Electoral Act (Bundeswahlgesetz, in German). The Bundestag has 630 members, and the law provides for 299 constituencies. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- The first vote goes to a person who stands in a constituency for a seat in the Bundestag.
- The second vote goes to a state list on which a party names its candidates.
- The Bundestag election follows the principles of proportional representation, so the second vote is decisive for the composition of parliament.
- Whether a constituency candidate actually enters the Bundestag also depends on second-vote coverage (Zweitstimmendeckung, in German).
- State and municipal elections follow their own rules in each Land and municipality.
What does the first vote mean?
The first vote is cast for a direct candidate in a constituency (Kreiswahlvorschlag, in German). You therefore choose a person who stands in the constituency where you live. Under § 1 para. 2 of the Federal Electoral Act, the first vote is used to elect a candidate in the constituency. The result in the constituency first decides who comes out ahead there. Whether that person then actually enters the Bundestag depends on second-vote coverage. The Federal Returning Officer explains in her glossary that, from the 2025 federal election onward, a constituency candidate counts as elected only if the corresponding second-vote coverage exists.
What does the second vote mean?
The second vote is cast for a state list (Landeswahlvorschlag, in German). It is the vote for the state list on which the admitted parties name their candidates. With your second vote you influence how many seats a party receives in the Bundestag overall. This follows from the principle of proportional representation, which § 1 para. 2 of the Federal Electoral Act names explicitly for federal elections.
The two votes at a glance
| Feature | First vote | Second vote |
|---|---|---|
| Refers to | One person in a constituency | A state list of a party |
| Legal basis | Direct candidate proposal under § 1 para. 2 BWahlG | State list proposal under § 1 para. 2 BWahlG |
| Typical effect | Decides the result in the constituency | Determines the total number of seats of a party |
| Please note | Takes effect only with second-vote coverage | Seats follow the share of second votes |
Why the second vote usually carries more weight
Proportional representation means that the composition of the Bundestag reflects the share of second votes. The following calculation is simplified and shows only the basic idea. Assumption: a party receives 30 percent of the valid second votes nationwide, and 630 seats are to be allocated. Mathematically, that is about 189 seats. The actual allocation follows the rules of the Federal Electoral Act, which include the electoral threshold and the compensation of overhang seats. These rules are only hinted at in this guide.
How the two votes work together
Both votes are independent of each other. The first vote says something about the person you support in your constituency, and the second vote says something about the programme and list of a party. Assumption: you give your first vote to a candidate from a small party and your second vote to a larger one. Under electoral law, both decisions are separate, and you do not have to match them. That is why it is worth considering each vote on its own.
How to fill in the ballot paper correctly
- Look at the headings of the two votes, which are clearly labelled.
- For the first vote, mark exactly one person from your constituency.
- For the second vote, mark exactly one state list.
- Before you put the ballot in, check that nothing is crossed out or unclearly marked, because an unclear ballot can be invalid.
What applies to state and local elections?
The federal rules do not automatically apply to state parliament elections (Landtagswahlen, in German) or municipal elections (Kommunalwahlen, in German). The Länder regulate their state elections in their own electoral laws, and the municipalities follow state law. The number of votes, the threshold and the layout of the ballot can therefore differ by state. If you vote in a state, read the official voter notice from the competent authority carefully.
Frequently asked questions
Can I vote for different parties with my first and second vote?
Yes. The first and second votes are independent of each other. You can give your first vote to a person in your constituency and use your second vote for a different party. This separation is a feature of the electoral system, not an exception.
Do I have to use both votes?
You have two votes, and whether you use both is up to you. If you cast only one vote, it still counts. For the effect in that area, only the single vote then applies.
What does second-vote coverage mean?
Second-vote coverage (Zweitstimmendeckung, in German) describes the relationship between the result in a constituency and the second votes of the party. According to the Federal Returning Officer glossary, a candidate who wins a constituency enters the Bundestag only if the second votes of the party cover it. Whether that applies in a given case only becomes clear from the official final result.
When is a ballot paper invalid?
A ballot paper that is not clearly filled in may be invalid. Which cases this covers is set out in the electoral law. If you have doubts about your ballot paper, the competent electoral authority can advise you before you cast it.
What you can do now
- Find out which constituency you live in. The guide Find your constituency (in German) explains the steps.
- Read the voter notification and the official election notice of your municipality before you vote.
- Inform yourself about the candidates in your constituency and about the state lists before you cast your two votes.
- Decide on each vote separately, because each has its own effect.
Related guides
- Elections 2027: All dates at a glance and what you need to know
- Find your constituency (in German)
- Voting rights for students with two residences
- Using the Wahl-O-Mat well
- Compulsory voting in Germany
Sources: Federal Electoral Act, § 1 (gesetze-im-internet.de, in German, as of November 2026); Glossary of the Federal Returning Officer: Kreiswahlleitung (bundeswahlleiterin.de, in German, as of November 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
