The organisation of the 2025 federal election presented many local authorities in Germany with significant organisational challenges. In this context, an article by Prof. Christoph Bieber, head of the CAIS research programme “Digital Democratic Innovations”, and PhD students Aryan Shooshtari and Anne Goldmann has been published in the anthology “Die Bundestagswahl 2025” (Springer VS). Under the title “Election Management in a Federal System: Organisational Issues in the 2025 Federal Election”, the researchers examine how election administration is organised in Germany and what coordination efforts are required within the federal system. The analysis is based on survey data from more than 400 local authorities and highlights key challenges in election administration. The digitalisation of voting options for German citizens living abroad and the expansion of polling stations emerge particularly clearly as important starting points for future reforms and further research.
Abstract
The snap federal election of 2025 provides a valuable opportunity to examine the structure of election administration in Germany. An analysis of the actors involved in election management reveals a division between norm-setting and oversight bodies (the Federal Returning Officer and the Federal Electoral Committee) and municipalities, which are primarily responsible for operational implementation. A survey conducted among more than 400 municipalities in the context of the federal election highlights their key challenges. While the recruitment of polling staff and the provision of polling stations caused few difficulties, the organisation of postal voting was widely perceived as burdensome. Particular attention is drawn to the obstacles faced by eligible voters residing abroad. The chapter discusses structural shortcomings and areas for modernisation, demonstrating that despite high voter turnout, reforms remain necessary to make elections more resilient and inclusive.
Bieber, C., Shooshtari, A., Goldmann, A. (2026). Election management in the federal system. In: Schiffers, M., von Schuckmann, A., Korte, KR. (eds) The 2025 Federal Election. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-48664-8_3-1