All Germans within the meaning of Article 116(1) of the Basic Law and all citizens of other member states of the European Union who have reached the age of 18 on March 8, 2026 (election day) for the runoff election on March 22, 2026 (runoff election day) and  

• have had a residence in the Mainz-Oberstadt district for at least 3 months, or, if they have several residences, their main residence, and  
• are not excluded from voting under Section 2 of the Local Election Act.

Eligible voters will receive a notification of election by February 15, 2026, stating the polling station. The notification of election confirms registration in the electoral roll. The notification of election also serves as an application for postal voting. Anyone who has not received a notification of election by February 15, 2026, should contact the Citizens' Office,

Briefwahlbüro, Stadthaus Große Bleiche 46, 55116 Mainz, or call 06131 12-1500 from February 17, 2026.

Provided that authorization to view the register is proven, the electoral register for your own voting district can be viewed at the postal voting office during the period from February 16, 2026, to February 20, 2026, at the following times:

Monday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Friday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Those who are registered in the electoral register can only vote in the electoral district in which they are registered or by postal vote. 

The deadline for registration in the electoral register is the 42nd day before the election: January 25, 2026 (runoff election: February 8, 2026).

Each eligible voter has one vote.  

The candidate who receives more than half of the valid votes is elected. If no candidate receives more than half of the valid votes, a runoff election is held between the two candidates with the most votes.

Voting at the polling station is possible on March 8, 2026 (in the event of a runoff election on March 22, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Your election notification will contain the address of the building where your polling station is located. The number of your voting district and the number under which you are registered in the electoral register are also printed on the notification.

As a rule, your voter registration card is sufficient proof of identity at the polling station. Upon request, eligible voters must provide proof of identity.

Please have a valid ID card or passport ready.

If you are unable to visit the polling station on election Sunday, you can also cast your vote by postal ballot at the postal ballot office of the city of Mainz or have the postal ballot documents sent to you.

Postal voting documents (consisting of a polling card, information sheet, ballot paper, and envelopes) can be requested immediately:

• by mail: City of Mainz, Election Office, P.O. Box 3820, 55116 Mainz
• by fax: 06131 12-1512
• by email: briefwahlbuerostadt.mainzde
• by ballot application via OLIWA

It is not permitted to request postal voting documents by telephone. The back of the election notification
can be used to submit the request.

Please send the completed and signed application in a stamped envelope to the election office.

Applications may only be submitted and documents received on behalf of other persons if authorized to do so by written power of attorney.

For general questions regarding elections, please contact the staff at the election office at 06131 12-1515.

The staff of the postal voting office can be reached at 06131 12-1500 from February 17, 2026.