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[POLITICS] · Germany · 3 sources

Part of situation: North Rhine-Westphalia electoral developments (2 clusters)

North Rhine-Westphalia to lower voting age to 16

North Rhine-Westphalia voting age state election German politics electoral reform

In North Rhine-Westphalia, 16- and 17-year-olds will be eligible to vote in the state election scheduled for April 25, 2027, for the first time. Previously, the voting age for state elections in the region was 18.

The change, which was approved by the state parliament on December 17, 2025, requires a two-thirds majority because it involves an amendment to the state constitution. The decision was supported by the CDU, Greens, SPD, and FDP parliamentary groups.

This reform is expected to add approximately 300,000 young voters to the electorate, representing about two percent of the state's total 12.9 million eligible voters. To qualify, individuals must be at least 16 years old on election day, hold German citizenship, and have resided in North Rhine-Westphalia for at least 16 days prior to the election.

While the reform expands the active right to vote, it does not change the eligibility to stand as a candidate for the state parliament, which remains at a minimum age of 18.

Entities

CDU · FDP · Greens · North Rhine-Westphalia · SPD

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Wahlalter bei der Landtagswahl 2027 in NRW: Ab wie vielen Jahren darf man wählen? [www.dattelner-morgenpost.de]
Wahlalter bei der Landtagswahl 2027 in NRW: Ab wie vielen Jahren darf man wählen? [www.halternerzeitung.de]
Wahlalter bei der Landtagswahl 2027 in NRW: Ab wie vielen Jahren darf man wählen? [www.hertener-allgemeine.de]