Berlin election 2026 expands voting rights to 16‑year‑olds

Berlin will hold elections for its state parliament (Abgeordnetenhaus) and district assemblies (Bezirksverordnetenversammlungen) on 20 September 2026. The vote follows the regular five‑year cycle after the 2023 repeat election, which was triggered by organisational failures in 2021. For the first time, citizens aged 16 and 17 are eligible to vote, lowering the previous voting age of 18. Around 2.4 million eligible voters will receive postal voting notices in August, and they may also vote in person or by mail after applying in advance.

Voters have two votes: a first vote for a constituency candidate in one of Berlin’s 78 districts, and a second vote for a party list that determines the overall seat distribution. The Abgeordnetenhaus normally seats at least 130 members, with 78 elected directly and the remainder allocated via the party lists. The district assemblies each use a single vote for a party or voter group list. EU citizens residing in Berlin who are at least 16 may also vote.

The election will not include referendums, and two local initiatives – “Berlin autofrei” and “Berlin werbefrei” – failed to gather enough signatures to appear on the ballot.