Mayoral election: 1 vote
For the Mayor you have exactly one vote. You make a single cross next to the person you would like to see at the head of the city.
Voting from 16 · Local elections 2026
Your first election in Salzgitter.
On 13 September 2026 there are local elections in Lower Saxony – and you get a say from the age of 16. Here you'll find out, simply and without politician-speak, who can vote, what is being elected and how you cast your vote.
Are you allowed to vote?
Three things you need to meet.
In the local elections in Lower Saxony you can vote from the age of 16. If these three points apply to you, you are eligible to vote:
At least 16 years old
On election day, 13 September 2026, you are at least 16 years old. For the local elections that's enough – unlike for the federal or state parliament elections.
Living here for 3 months
You have lived in the electoral area, i.e. in Salzgitter, for at least three months. This ensures that you have a say in your own city.
German or EU citizen
You hold German citizenship – or that of another EU member state. EU citizens may also take part in local elections.
What is a mayoral election?
You directly choose who leads the city.
In the direct election you decide yourself who becomes Mayor of Salzgitter – directly, not via detours.
- The Mayor is elected directly by you.
- For this office you have exactly one vote – one cross for one person.
- Whoever receives more than half of all valid votes is elected (absolute majority).
- If no one manages that in the first round, there is a runoff between the two top-placed candidates – expected on 27 September 2026.
What is being elected
Mayor and council – two elections on one day.
On election day you often receive several ballot papers at once: one for the mayoral election and one for the city council. Important: you have a different number of votes for each.
City council: 3 votes
The council is the municipal parliament – it decides, for example, on schools, buses, sports grounds and the city's money. For this you have three votes that you can distribute freely.
Cumulating
You may give one person up to three of your votes ("cumulating"). This is how you make especially clear who you want on the council.
Vote splitting
You can also distribute your three votes across different lists and parties – so you are not tied to a single list (possible since the 2016 reform).
How the ballot paper works
A few steps to your vote.
Don't worry: at the polling station everything is explained, and helpers are on site. Here's how it goes:
- 1
Receive the ballot paper
At the polling station you get several ballot papers depending on the election – e.g. one for the mayoral election and one for the council. At the top of each it says what it's about and how many votes you have.
- 2
Go into the voting booth
You fill in the ballot papers alone and unobserved in the voting booth. Your vote is secret – no one finds out where you make your cross.
- 3
Mayoral election: one cross
On the mayoral ballot paper, place exactly one cross next to the person you want to vote for. More than one cross makes the vote invalid.
- 4
Council: up to three crosses
On the council ballot paper you distribute your three votes – on one person (cumulating) or across several lists (vote splitting). You don't have to give out all three, but at most three.
- 5
Fold and drop in
Fold the ballot papers so that your crosses are hidden, and drop them into the ballot box. Done – you have voted!
Why vote?
Your vote helps decide.
The local elections are about what happens right on your doorstep. With your vote you help decide who leads your city and which issues are important in the coming years. Especially in local elections, every single vote counts – the results are often close together.
- You help decide who is at the head of your city.
- You decide on issues that affect you: buses, schools, leisure, sport and more.
- Those who don't vote leave the decision to others – including about their own future.
- The more young people vote, the more strongly their concerns are heard.
Mach den Test
Bist du fit für deine erste Wahl?
Zehn kurze Fragen, sofortige Auflösung – parteipolitisch neutral. In zwei Minuten weißt du, wie gut du dich auskennst.
Frequently asked questions
Still got questions? Here are answers.
The most important questions about your first election – answered briefly and simply.
I'm 16 – am I really allowed to vote already?
Yes. In local elections in Lower Saxony the voting age is 16. If you are at least 16 on election day (13 September 2026), have lived in Salzgitter for three months and hold German or another EU citizenship, you are allowed to vote.
Do I have to register in order to be allowed to vote?
No. If you are eligible to vote, you automatically receive a voting notification by post. It tells you which polling station you can vote at. To be safe, bring your ID.
What happens if no one gets the majority?
If no one in the mayoral election reaches more than half of the valid votes, there is a runoff between the two top-placed candidates – expected on 27 September 2026. Then your vote counts again.
Why do I have three votes for the council?
For the city council you can steer more precisely who you support. You may give one person up to three votes (cumulating) or distribute your votes across several lists (vote splitting). But you don't have to give out all three.
What if I don't have time on election day?
Then you can vote by postal vote. You apply for the documents from the City of Salzgitter – online, in writing or in person. This way you cast your vote conveniently from home.
Is my vote really secret?
Yes. You fill in your ballot paper alone in the voting booth and fold it before dropping it in. No one finds out who or what you voted for.
Angaben ohne Gewähr. Verbindliche Informationen zu Fristen, Wahllokalen und Briefwahl findest du bei der Stadt Salzgitter und beim Landeswahlleiter Niedersachsen.
Ready for your first election?
Mark 13 September 2026 in your calendar. You'll find all dates, polling stations and postal vote info here.