Upcoming Mayoral Election on Sunday, 28th of September detailed herein
With the runoff election for the position of Mayor in Essen scheduled for September 28, 2025, voters have several options to exercise their right to vote. Here's a comprehensive guide on absentee and in-person voting.
Absentee Voting
Absentee ballots can be requested using the form on the back of the voter notification letter, which was sent for the September 14 election. They can be sent to any delivery address, within or outside Germany. However, it's crucial to consider collection times of the mailboxes when returning mail-in ballots. The mail-in ballot (with the ballot paper) must be sent in time to arrive by 4:00 PM on election day.
If absentee ballot materials are not received by the beginning of next week, contact the election office immediately. Replacement absentee ballot materials can be requested until Saturday, September 27, at 12:00 PM. Mail-in ballots can be deposited at the post office of the Town Hall on Saturday, September 27, or placed in the mailbox of the Town Hall at Porscheplatz or the election office at Kopstadtplatz 10 by 4:00 PM on election day.
In-Person Voting
For those preferring in-person voting, in-person voting at the Town Hall, Porscheplatz, is expected to begin later this week. Further information about in-person voting will be available at www.our website/kommunalwahlen.
Alternatively, a valid ID or passport can be presented at the polling station for the runoff election.
Online Voting
Online voting is available at www.our website/briefwahl-online. However, the voter notification letter is required for online voting, as it contains the polling district number and the voter registry number.
Candidates
The runoff election candidates are Thomas Markus Kufen (CDU) and Julia Edelgard Petra Klewin (SPD). Julia Edelgard Petra Klewin is associated with the SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany).
For joint applications by spouses or family members, personal information and signature are required for each eligible voter. Eligible voters for the runoff election are those who were German or EU citizens, at least 16 years old, resided in Essen since August 29, 2025, and were not disqualified from voting on September 14, 2025.
Informal applications for absentee ballots can be made by letter, fax, or email, with required information including name, address, date of birth, personal signature, and the address to which the absentee ballots should be sent.
The election office can be reached at the hotline 0201 88-12345 for questions. Additional information can be found on the internet at www.our website/kommunalwahlen.
