Berlin Has More Than 7.7 Million Ballots Printed for Elections

Background: How the High Number Comes About

The printing capacities have been held for weeks to ensure on-time delivery to the electoral districts. Bröchler had previously pointed to possible bottlenecks in the printing industry and emphasized that Berlin takes the logistical challenge seriously. "Berlin geht auf Nummer sicher", the State Returning Office stated.

In addition to the classic polling stations, postal voting plays an increasingly large role. The number of postal vote applications in Berlin has risen continuously in recent years. Experience shows that postal voters in the capital make up a significantly higher share than the federal average, which is why a corresponding buffer is planned in ballot production.

Logistics: Distribution to Around 2,300 Electoral Districts

The printed ballots are distributed before the election in sealed transport containers to the city's approximately 2,300 electoral districts. Sufficient ballots for all eligible voters must be available at each polling station on election day. If a run-off election or a necessary re-election occurs, additional contingents must be able to be reprinted at short notice.

The State Returning Office coordinates the distribution together with the district election offices and external logistics partners. Bröchler pointed out that preparations had begun particularly early this year to minimize risks in the supply chain. The city had deliberately opted for overproduction in order to remain able to act even in the case of short-term corrections.

Outlook on the Election Date

For voters, the high quantity does not change anything: They will receive their ballots at the polling station as usual and can cast their votes. The additional capacities serve exclusively for organizational security.

The official election dates are already set. The dispatch of the poll cards (Wahlbenachrichtigungen) to eligible voters is expected in the coming weeks. The State Returning Office also wants to provide information about the postal voting procedure and the options for casting votes in advance.