Electoral revolution in Kallmünz: Rohrbach and Co. lose polling stations!

Electoral revolution in Kallmünz: Rohrbach and Co. lose polling stations!

The local elections in Kallmünz will take place on September 11, 2025, but with a significant change in the polling station structure. There will no longer be separate polling stations in the districts of Rohrbach, Traidendorf and Dinau. This decision is the result of legal requirements and a change in electoral practice, which forces the municipal administration to realign the electoral organization. The minimum number of eligible voters and the nationwide requirement for a sufficient number of volunteer election workers no longer exist in these districts.

A large proportion of those eligible to vote are already using the option of postal voting, which further supports the decision to close the small polling stations. In the future, eligible voters from Rohrbach, Traidendorf and Dinau will be assigned to a nearby polling station. The exact location and opening times of the new polling stations will be announced in the newsletter and on the Kallmünz market homepage. In addition, postal voting remains open to all citizens, and postal voting documents can be requested at the local government office.

Accessibility in elections

Participation in elections must be ensured for all citizens, including people with disabilities. For this reason, the legislature has created various regulations to support this group. Voting templates enable people with limited vision and the blind to cast their vote without outside help. The Federal Center for Civic Education offers specific offers for people with hearing and visual impairments, while other actors such as the Social Association of Germany provide information in simple language. People with physical disabilities have the opportunity to apply for a voting card if their polling station is not barrier-free.

Eligible voters who need assistance can nominate an assistant to accompany them during the voting process. However, this assistant must comply with the voter's instructions and keep the information secret in order to maintain the principles of secret voting. The Inclusion Advisory Board also calls for the right to vote to be extended to other groups, including people who live in psychiatric facilities. Since 2019, these groups have been eligible to participate in elections, which is in line with the 2009 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Initiatives and support

In view of the need for accessibility, the Federal Office for Accessibility has created the handout “Barrier-free polling stations”. This updated edition, published in November 2024, aims to ensure equal participation of people with disabilities in the right to vote. It includes recommendations for checking the accessibility of polling stations and offers a total of ten checklists that are intended to support the voting process. The checklist topics include barrier-free accessibility, signage with pictograms and quality assurance before and during the election.

Thanks to all the dedicated election workers who support the smooth running of the local elections. Your voluntary work is crucial to conducting the elections and ensuring that all citizens can vote.