Updates on the 2025 Municipal Elections in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)
The local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) are set to take place on September 14, 2025. These elections will determine the composition of city, community, and district councils, as well as the election of mayors, county commissioners, and other top municipal offices.
Key parties contesting the elections include the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD, a significant player in the political landscape, has faced scrutiny from Germany’s domestic intelligence agency. Several AfD candidates have been flagged for allegedly holding “anti-constitutional” views, leading to some local election committees barring their candidacies based on state law designed to defend democracy.
The CDU is led federally by Friedrich Merz, who has deep ties to North Rhine-Westphalia and previously served in advisory roles linked to the state. The SPD continues to be a major force in the state, with candidates active in recent federal and state elections.
A complete, detailed list of all candidates or full party slates for the local elections in 2025 NRW is not available in the search results. However, the dynamic includes multiple parties contesting, with some parties submitting state lists and others running direct candidates as per the federal election context.
The election results will be announced on election day after the polls close at 6 pm and the votes are counted, with many results final by 10 pm. Runoff elections, if required, will take place 14 days later, on September 28, 2025.
Voters will automatically receive a voting notification by post to their registration address. Eligible voters can vote by mail-in ballot, with the application process available online, in writing, or in person at the city or municipality. The voting envelope for mail-in voting should be sent at least three working days before the election.
In addition to the local elections, the election to the Ruhr Parliament will also take place. Those who are eligible to vote in one of the member bodies of the Ruhr Regional Association are eligible to vote in this election. Voters in district-free cities will elect the city councils, district assemblies, and the lady or gentleman lord mayor.
Voting in the 2025 local elections in NRW is open to German citizens and citizens of the other 26 EU member states who have reached the age of 16 by election day. To be eligible to vote, one must register their main residence at least 16 days before the election.
On election night, the results for all mayoral, mayoral, and county commissioner elections in cities and communities, as well as the county commissioner elections, can be found on our website by searching with the postal code. Many cities, communities, and counties also publish the results on their websites.
For those who wish to learn more about the candidates for top municipal offices, a candidate check will be available on our website on September 14, 2025, allowing candidates to introduce themselves in short video statements.
The local elections in NRW occur every five years. The voter turnout for the last municipal elections in 2020 was 51.9% nationwide. Given the political measures taken against AfD candidates and the resulting tensions, these elections are particularly contentious, highlighting the importance of active participation in the democratic process.
- The local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) in 2025 will not only determine the composition of city, community, and district councils, but also the election of mayors, county commissioners, and other top municipal offices. These elections will take place amidst a political landscape affected by the presence of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party that has faced scrutiny from Germany’s domestic intelligence agency due to alleged anti-constitutional views held by some of its candidates.
- In addition to the local elections, the election to the Ruhr Parliament will also take place on the same day, with eligibility to vote extended to German citizens and citizens of the other 26 EU member states who have reached the age of 16. The election results for all mayoral, mayoral, and county commissioner elections will be available on various websites, including our website, enabling voters to stay informed about their chosen candidates.
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