On September 24, and possibly in the event of a required second ballot on October 15, 2023, all residents of Rastatt who are eligible to vote are called upon to elect a new mayor for an eight-year term. Running for election will be: Brigitta Lenhard, Thomas Hentschel, Monika Müller, Dr. Volker Kek and Dr. Michael Gaska.
The current incumbent, Hans Jürgen Pütsch, is not running again after 16 years. His term of office ends on December 16, 2023.
Important questions and answers about OB election
Who is running in the OB election?
Following a review of the application documents by the municipal election committee at a public meeting on August 29, the following may stand for election: Brigitta Lenhard, Thomas Hentschel, Monika Müller, Dr. Volker Kek and Dr. Michael Gaska. Michael Gill was not admitted to the election due to incomplete application documents.
Who was allowed to stand for election?
Germans and citizens of the European Union who reside in Germany prior to the admission of applications are eligible to stand for election. Applicants must have reached the age of 18 on election day and guarantee that they support the free democratic basic order within the meaning of the Basic Law at all times.
In Rastatt, OB candidates must also submit 100 supporting signatures from eligible voters.
Applications had to be submitted in writing to the Historic Town Hall in Rastatt by 6 p.m. on August 28, 2023.
How does the order on the ballot come about?
The order of the candidates on the ballot paper was determined according to the time of receipt of the applications. Since Brigitta Lenhard and Thomas Hentschel submitted their applications, the first and second places of the two were determined by drawing lots. The lot decided: Brigitta Lenhard is first on the ballot, Thomas Hentschel follows in second place.
In the event of a run-off election being necessary, the order shall be in descending order according to the number of votes.
How can I find out about the candidates?
All candidates present themselves publicly and in person. There are six rounds of interviews in total.
Who gets to vote?
According to the Municipal Elections Act, anyone who is eligible to vote on election day is:
- has German citizenship or citizenship of an EU member state and has reached the age of 16,
- has lived in Rastatt and its districts for at least three months and is not excluded from the right to vote
- and has received an election notification.
Homeless people who have their habitual residence in Rastatt are also granted the right to vote.
How to vote?
Votes can be cast in advance by absentee ballot or on election Sunday at the polling station from 8 am to 6 pm. The address of the relevant polling station can be found on the election notification. Voters must bring their voter notification and their ID card or passport with them to the polling station. Voters will then receive their ballot paper.
When will I receive the election notification?
Eligible voters who are entered in the electoral roll will receive a notification of election no later than September 3. Eligible voters who have not received a notification by that date may contact the Citizens' Registration Office by phone at 07222 972-7114 and 07222 972-7118 or by e-mail at buergerbuero@rastatt.de
The election notification and the ID or passport must be brought to the election office on election day. Eligible voters will then receive their ballot paper there.
How can I request an absentee ballot?
Those who wish to vote by absentee ballot can - as soon as they have received their voting authorization by mail - apply for the necessary documents in various ways:
- conveniently online via this link,
- in writing by election notification, letter, postcard or form or electronically by e-mail. The surname, first name(s), date of birth and residential address must be stated in each case,
- in person at the citizens' office at Herrenstrasse 15 or at the respective local administrations,
- or quickly and easily via mobile device using the QR code on the back of the election notification. Most of the data is already stored here. The application data is transmitted in encrypted form.
Those who have requested their absentee ballots for the election on September 24 will also receive them for the possible runoff election on October 15 - but only if this has been explicitly requested.
When will I receive the absentee ballot?
How many votes does each voter have?
Is there support for visually impaired voters?
When is a second ballot required?
The election of the mayor is a majority election. The person who has received more than half of the valid votes is elected.
If no person receives more than half of the valid votes, a runoff election shall be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023, between the two persons who received the highest number of votes in the first election; in the event of equal numbers of votes, the election shall be decided by lot.
Dates
More info
Press releases
- Mailing of absentee ballots has begun
- Candidates introduce themselves
- GWA meeting: Five candidates stand for election
- Applications will be reviewed and approved on August 29/Request absentee ballots for both election dates/Mailings no earlier than early September
- City sends out election notification