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Direct election in Cologne: How to vote correctly on September 14th!
On September 14, 2025, Cologne residents will elect a new mayor and city council. Find out about direct and postal voting.
Direct election in Cologne: How to vote correctly on September 14th!
On September 14, 2025, it will be that time again: the people of Cologne are called upon to elect their new mayor, a city council, new district representatives and an integration council. Around812,000 eligible voterstake on this important task. [24rhein] reports that the election notifications were sent out from August 9th, so that all eligible voters are informed in good time.
For all those who cannot go to the polling station in person on this day, there is the optionPostal voting. The city of Cologne is also upgrading this, as the importance of postal voting in Germany has steadily increased in recent years. According to reports, people have already voted in the 2025 federal election37% of votersby postal vote. But even if this is a popular option, the responsibility for sending the voting letter on time lies with the postal voter himself, as the city of Cologne explains in its information.
Direct election and voting
To cast their votes directly, Cologne residents can choose betweenAugust 11th and September 12thcast their vote. This is the case overall45 electoral districtswith503 voting districtsavailable. There will also be one in the Kalk KarreeDirect selector switchthat is wheelchair accessible. A valid photo ID and voter notification are required to cast your vote.
The direct dialing counters are open from Monday to Friday8 a.m. to 6 p.mopen on the last Friday before the election, September 12th, even until3 p.m. The customer centers in various parts of the city are also willing to maintain registration for direct dialing.
Postal voting and important deadlines
There are clear deadlines for postal voting: voting documents must be submitted bySeptember 14, 2025, 4 p.m, available at the electoral office. Sending the documents can take several days, which is why it is advisable to take care of this early. It is advisable to send the election letter as early as possible in order to minimize postage costs, which are even eliminated within Germany by Deutsche Post.
In addition, on election day there is the option of sending the voting letter between12:30 and 4 p.mto be handed in at the information point of the postal voting center in the Koelnmesse. Access via the east entrance can be used for this. If you want to cast your vote by postal vote, you should also make sure that the voting letter cannot be handed in at a polling station.
Colorful ballot papers
When casting your vote, you can't ignore the bright colors on the ballot papers: the votes for the mayor, the city council and the district council are all inwhite,pinkandgreenheld. Blind and visually impaired people can also take part in the election with an adapted ballot paper.
If you have not yet received an election notification, you should not hesitate to contact the election office0221/221-34567contact. Finally, it is important to go to the polls well informed and prepared!
In these times when democracy and citizen participation are back in high demand, it is crucial that every vote counts. Prepare yourself, don't be put off by the colorful world of Cologne's elections and get your vote in! The local elections promise to be exciting!