Berlin calling for September election helpers

Newly naturalised? If voting doesn’t sufficiently scratch your democratic itch and the Bundestag chamber remains a pipe dream, why not volunteer as an election helper?

Berlin seeking election helpers

Berlin is gearing up for a state election on September 20, and preparations are underway. The city is looking for a further 2.500 people to volunteer as “election helpers” (Wahlhelfer*innen).

State returning officer Stephan Bröchler initially made a social media call out for 9.000 more election helpers back in April, to which 6.500 people responded. “I was very pleased, but we are looking for yet more engaged citizens,” Bröchler told the dpa.

The city state needs a total of 40.000 volunteers to help polling day run smoothly, 5.000 more than during the last state election in 2023. On polling day, the volunteers will be responsible for counting votes at around 2.500 polling stations and around 1.300 postal vote stations.

Who can help on election day?

Whether you can be a Wahlhelfer*in in Germany depends on your voting rights and the election you would like to help with. For example, to volunteer to help in a federal election, you must be at least 18 years old on polling day and eligible to vote in the German federal election.

To volunteer for the Berlin state election, you must be at least 18 years old on polling day and be eligible to vote in a German federal election or the Berlin state election.

To vote in the Berlin city state election, you must be a German citizen, be at least 16 years old on polling day and have been continuously registered at an address in Berlin during the preceding three months.

If democratic participation and facilitating free voting aren’t enough motivation, you'll also receive between 80 and 120 euros “replenishment money” (Erfrischungsgeld) for your efforts. You can find out more and sign up on the state returning officer website.