Emergency recruitment for poll workers during the 2025 local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia
In the upcoming municipal elections in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) on September 14 and 28, 2025, over 100,000 volunteers are needed to ensure a smooth voting process. With 8,500 honorary positions still open in Cologne alone, the demand for election helpers is high.
Eligibility and Application
To become an election helper (Wahlhelfer), one must typically be an eligible voter in the municipality and volunteer to assist at the polling station on election day. Interested persons should contact their local election office or visit their municipality’s website to register as a helper. The work is generally done in the volunteer’s own residential area or voting district.
Tasks and Requirements
Election helpers oversee the voting process during the day and count votes after the polls close. No special prior knowledge or qualifications are required. The tasks include assisting voters, ensuring a fair and secure voting environment, and maintaining order.
Election helpers are required to be at the polling station early, usually around 7:30 am, with voting running from 8 am to 6 pm. Afterwards, vote counting takes place. For helpers in postal voting (Briefwahl), shifts start later.
Compensation
Election helpers receive an allowance (Aufwandsentschädigung) as a recognition of their effort. The typical allowance for ordinary election helpers is about €50, while election chairpersons (Wahlvorsteher) receive around €70. This is an honorary position but with a modest financial compensation recognizing the workload on election day.
Current Situation
In Cologne, 8,500 honorary helpers are needed for the election, of which 1,500 positions are still open. Guido Mackowiak, head of the election office in Essen, reported that it was easier to find election helpers for the federal election in February compared to the municipal elections. Bielefeld already has enough helpers for the main election day on September 14, but still needs a low three-digit number for the runoff.
Becoming an Election Helper: A Rewarding Experience
Andreas Zinn, head of the Cologne election office, promotes the honorary office as an exciting way to see after 6 pm how the citizens in his neighborhood have decided. By becoming an election helper, you can contribute to the democratic process and gain a unique insight into the workings of a polling station.
To become an election helper, you must have German citizenship or the citizenship of an EU member state on election day, be at least 16 years old, and not be excluded from the right to vote.
In summary, becoming an election helper is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the democratic process in North Rhine-Westphalia. With over 100,000 volunteers needed, there are plenty of opportunities for eligible voters to get involved. For more information, please contact your local election office or visit your municipality’s website.
Environmental politics and general news may discuss the urgent need for volunteers in the upcoming municipal elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, where over 100,000 poll workers are required for the smooth process on September 14 and 28, 2025. Cologne alone has 8,500 vacant honorary positions, highlighting the high demand for election helpers.
