State Parliament Election Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Democracy
needs
every vote
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern needs your vote!
- Over the next five years, the elected officials will make decisions on many issues that affect our daily lives:
Housing and rent - Work and the economy
- Education and future opportunities
- Social participation
- Protection against discrimination
- The future of our democracy
Your experiences and interests matter.
Democracy thrives when everyone makes their voice heard. If many people don’t vote, their concerns become less visible and their interests are less likely to be taken into account.
When is the election?
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Polling places are generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Who is eligible to vote?
You are eligible to vote in the state election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern if you:
✔ are a German citizen,
✔ are at least 16 years old on Election Day,
✔ have lived in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for at least 37 days or usually reside here,
✔ have not been disqualified from voting by a court order.
📬 If you’re registered on the voter rolls, you’ll usually receive a voter notification by mail before the election.
Didn’t receive a voter notification?
That doesn’t automatically mean you can’t vote. In that case, contact your local municipality or election office.
Who are you voting for?
In the state election, you’ll be voting for the politicians of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Over the next five years, the state parliament will decide on issues including:
🏠 Housing and rent
🎓 Schools and education
💼 The economy and jobs
🤝 Social inclusion
🛡️ Protection against discrimination
🌍 The future of our society
With your vote, you help decide which parties and political ideas will shape policy in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
What do the parties stand for?
You don’t have to be a political expert to vote.
It’s okay to have questions or not be familiar with every political issue. Learn about the issues that matter to you and decide for yourself.
Nineteen parties and political groups are running in the state election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
On this page, we’ll introduce just a few of the larger and better-known parties. This keeps things simple and easy to understand.
The table is meant to give you an initial overview and help you learn more. However, it is not exhaustive.
Good to know
Not every party prioritizes the same issues. Some issues are more important to certain parties than to others.
Decide for yourself which party best represents your interests.
Party comparison table
Want to learn more?
With the Wahl-O-Mat, you can compare the positions of all parties.
Why can’t anyone see who I vote for?
Important democratic electoral principles apply in Germany.
🗳️ Universal
All eligible voters may vote.
🗳️ Free
Voting is not mandatory in Germany. You decide for yourself whether to vote.
🗳️ Equal
Every vote counts equally.
🗳️ Secret
No one finds out who you voted for.
🗳️ Direct
You vote for parties and candidates directly.
💡 Important
In some countries, people have found that elections are not free or secret.
In Germany, the following applies:
No one is allowed to control who you vote for.
You don’t have to tell anyone who you’re voting for—not family members, friends, employers, or government agencies.
Your choice is yours alone.
What happens at the polling place?
📌 To vote, you’ll need:
✔ Voting notification (if available)
✔ ID card or passport
Many people wonder:
“How does voting actually work?”
Don’t worry—voting is easy.
- You go to your polling place.
- You show your ID.
- You receive your ballot.
- You go into the voting booth alone.
- Mark your two choices with an X.
- Fold your ballot.
- Drop your ballot into the ballot box.
Done—you’ve voted!
💡 If you have any questions, you can ask the election workers at any time. They’re allowed to explain how the election works—but not who you should vote for.
If you need assistance, a trusted person may accompany you. However, they may only help you carry out your own decision.
How can I vote from home?
You can still vote even if you can’t go to the polling place on Election Day.
Here’s how vote-by-mail works:
- You’ll receive your election notice. It will include instructions for voting by mail.
- Fill out the vote-by-mail form and mail it back at no cost.
- You’ll receive your voting ballot at home.
- You fill out the voting ballot at home.
- You mail your ballot at no cost.
✔ Easy
✔ Secure
✔ Confidential
✔ Can be done from home
Why Many People Don’t Vote
Many people have felt that elections don’t change anything.
Some come from countries where political participation was virtually impossible or where elections are not free and fair.
There, they often felt:
“My vote doesn’t count.”
Others also feel that their perspectives and lived realities are not sufficiently represented in political debates. Experiences of exclusion, discrimination, or feeling ignored can reinforce the impression that they are not truly represented.
Some people are also disappointed with politics. They feel that politicians do not take their problems seriously or that, despite elections, too little changes.
This sometimes creates the impression:
“Politics isn’t interested in people like me.”
These experiences and feelings are understandable.
But democracy thrives on people using their vote. Political change doesn’t happen on its own—it happens when people have a say and make their interests known.
If many people don’t vote, others will decide your future.
Why is your vote important?
With your vote, you help decide:
- how we live,
- how education is structured,
- what job and future opportunities arise,
- how we live together,
- which rights are protected.
People whose perspectives are often overlooked can especially drive change through political participation.
That’s why it’s important to vot
PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS.
HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE.
GO VOTE.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Parliament Election
Sunday, September 20, 2026
You can also meet us in person:
UNTERSTÜTZT
DURCH
