Election help booklet: Clarity for the local elections on March 8, 2026!

Election help booklet: Clarity for the local elections on March 8, 2026!

On January 8, 2026, the public will focus on the local elections, which will take place on March 8, 2026. In the run-up to this important election, the election help booklet “Simply Understand” was published and is now available for download. As the Bavarian State Center for Political Education Work reports, this booklet is written in plain language and is intended to serve as a source of information for voters.

The booklet contains comprehensive information, including explanations of what local elections are and who they are important for. On page 4 it is explained that local elections concern the election of mayors as well as members of the local council and district council. It is also important to note that voters must be at least 18 years old and have lived in the community for at least two months in order to take part in the election.

Contents of the election help booklet

The content of the magazine is diverse. It covers, among other things, the election notification (pages 8-10), the voting slips and the voting procedure (pages 12-28) as well as information about postal voting (pages 26-27). The voting rooms are also described on pages 28-29, with schools often being used as polling stations. A particularly helpful feature is the explanation of difficult words, which can be found on page 31. This support is particularly important to include all voters and make participation easier.

The election notification will be sent by post at least three weeks before the election so that all citizens eligible to vote are informed in good time. On election day, which is scheduled for March 8, 2026, voters can cast their vote in their assigned voting room from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you cannot appear in person on that day, you have the option of voting by post.

Importance of local elections

Participation in local elections is essential for shaping the community and the district. The results of the election are announced on the radio, internet or television on the same day and inform citizens about the new political representations. Such involvement in local politics can have a direct impact on the quality of life of citizens, which is why informed voting decisions play an essential role.

The election help booklet was published in cooperation with the Bavarian State Government's Commissioner for the Disabled and aims to promote access to political participation. This means that voters have all the information they need to cast their vote successfully and informedly.