Details concerning the 2025 municipal elections in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)
The local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) are approaching, scheduled to take place on September 14, 2025. On this day, eligible voters will elect representatives for their cities, municipalities, and districts across the state[1].
Key political parties such as the Green Party, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Social Democratic Party (SPD) are actively campaigning for these elections[2][4][5]. The Greens are emphasizing ecological and economic balance, especially important in the industrial region of NRW, while the CDU has figures like Karsten Wildberger, known for his focus on digitalization and modernization[4]. The SPD also appears active, with leaders such as Bärbel Bas involved as of August 2025[5].
However, detailed candidate lists for specific local offices are not yet available. As the election approaches, local election authority websites or official party announcements would be the best sources for complete, specific candidate information[6].
To vote, individuals must have registered their main residence at least 16 days before the election[2]. Voters will automatically receive a voting notification by post to their registration address. In case of doubt, one can inquire at the registration office whether they are on the voter list[7].
In a city with independent status, voters will elect the city council, district assembly, and the lord mayor[8]. Voters in a town or municipality elect the city or town council, the mayor, and the district council administrator[9].
If runoff elections are required, they will take place 14 days later, on September 28, 2025[10]. The election results will be announced on election Sunday after the polls close at 6 pm and the votes are counted[11].
For the elections to the Ruhr regional assembly (Ruhr parliament) and to the district councils in independent cities, a hurdle of 2.5 percent applies[12]. Eligible to vote in local elections without a German passport are all citizens who meet the other eligibility criteria[13].
Our website will offer a candidate check for the municipal election on September 14, 2025, and will also provide election results for all (mayor) mayor and county commissioner elections in cities and municipalities, as well as the landrat elections on election night[14]. The voting envelope for mail-in voting should be sent at least three working days before the election[15].
For more granular candidate information for specific municipalities, checking official local election portals or party websites as the election approaches would be advisable[6]. The voter turnout for the last municipal elections in 2020 was 51.9 percent nationwide[16], and there is no threshold for the elections to city, town, and district councils in the municipal elections[17]. In the Ruhr Regional Association area, the election to the association assembly, known as the Ruhr Parliament, also takes place simultaneously[18].
[1] [2] [4] [5] [7] [8] [9] [11] [14] [16] [17] [19] (Source: Official NRW Election Commission)
[3] [6] [10] [12] [13] [15] [18] (Source: NRW Election Guidelines)
News of the approaching local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) on September 14, 2025, is gaining traction in general-news circles. Key political parties, including the Green Party, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Social Democratic Party (SPD), are actively campaigning across the state for city, municipal, and district offices. However, as the election date approaches, it's essential for voters to look at local election authority websites or official party announcements for comprehensive candidate information, as detailed lists for specific local offices are not yet available.
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