Preparations for the upcoming federal election are in full swing. Election helpers are urgently needed. Despite volunteering, the effort is paid for.
The states and municipalities are preparing for the federal election on February 23, 2025. Around 650,000 election workers are being sought nationwide to support the around 88,000 electoral boards. But where are all the volunteers supposed to come from in such a short time? Can you also be hired as a poll worker and is your work remunerated?
In the event of an early federal election, shortened deadlines apply, for example for the compilation of candidate lists, the creation of the voter lists and the announcements. For this reason, as many poll workers as are necessary for the proper conduct of the election must be appointed as quickly as possible.
Hamburg alone needs 30,000 helpers. One week after the election for the Bundestag, the citizens and thus the new mayor of the Hanseatic city will also be elected. Even before the election date was set, many communities called for people to register as poll workers. In addition, experienced election workers would be asked to promote volunteer work among friends, acquaintances and colleagues.
If, as in February 2025, there is a nationwide election, every German citizen aged at least 18 can do their service to democracy and register as an election worker.
Election workers are usually sought through calls from the state returning officers or contacted directly by the municipality. If you would like to volunteer as a poll worker, it is best to contact the responsible electoral authority in your municipality. Online registration is also possible.
If there are not enough volunteer election workers, those eligible to vote can be required to take on this voluntary position. However, everyone has the right to refuse volunteering for certain reasons.
Election workers have this task:
Basically, as an election worker you should act impartially. Candidates and their confidants are therefore excluded from serving as election workers.
Election workers receive a so-called refreshment allowance of 25 euros as compensation for their expenses in accordance with Section 10 of the Federal Election Code. The electoral officer of each polling station receives a refreshment allowance of 35 euros due to the high workload and responsibility. Some municipalities even pay higher refreshment fees than the amounts reimbursed by the federal government.
The office of election worker or election officer is a voluntary position. Therefore, the refreshment allowance deliberately does not represent performance-related remuneration. In addition, it is tax-free up to the volunteer allowance of 840 euros per year.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced that he will ask the Bundestag for a vote of confidence on December 16, 2024. This is happening against the background of political uncertainty following the break of the traffic light coalition, in which Scholz only leads a minority government.
Scholz had originally envisaged January 15, 2025 as the date for the vote of confidence, but brought it forward due to pressure from the opposition and internal discussions.
Time.news Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. As we prepare for the upcoming federal election set for February 23, 2025, we’re seeing a real push for election workers across the country. Joining us to discuss this is Dr. Hannah Schmidt, an electoral process expert. Dr. Schmidt, can you start by explaining why there’s such a pressing need for election workers this year?
Dr. Hannah Schmidt: Absolutely, and thank you for having me! The urgency stems from the sheer scale of the upcoming election. Nearly 650,000 election workers are needed to support around 88,000 electoral boards nationwide. With the complexities of organizing an election, particularly in the event of an early one with shortened deadlines for candidate lists and voter registrations, we need to bring people on board quickly to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Time.news Editor: That’s a staggering number! Why do you think individuals should consider stepping up to be poll workers?
Dr. Hannah Schmidt: Well, being an election worker is a direct way to serve democracy—it empowers citizens to participate actively in the electoral process. Plus, it’s not just volunteering; this role is usually compensated, which makes it even more appealing. Many people may not realize that they can earn some money while contributing to the democratic process.
Time.news Editor: Interesting! I’ve heard that places like Hamburg have called for a massive number of helpers—around 30,000. How are municipalities spreading the word to recruit these workers?
Dr. Hannah Schmidt: Great question! Municipalities are leveraging various outreach strategies, from public announcements to targeted communications. They’ve been encouraging experienced election workers to advocate among their networks, ensuring that friends, family, and colleagues know about this opportunity. They also make it easy for anyone over 18 to register, either through direct contact with local electoral authorities or through online platforms.
Time.news Editor: I see. But what happens if they don’t secure enough volunteers? Are citizens compelled to step in?
Dr. Hannah Schmidt: Yes, in such situations, eligible voters can be mandated to serve as election workers, though there are provisions allowing individuals to refuse for specific reasons. However, I believe most would prefer to volunteer rather than be assigned involuntarily.
Time.news Editor: That seems fair. Now, you mentioned that election workers have to act impartially. Can you elaborate on what that entails?
Dr. Hannah Schmidt: Certainly! Impartiality means that election workers must remain neutral throughout the process. They assist with the electoral administration but do not express personal opinions or engage in any political discussions while on duty. This neutrality is crucial to maintain the integrity of the election and foster public trust.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, for those interested, what’s the best way to get involved?
Dr. Hannah Schmidt: The first step is to contact your local electoral authority directly, or even visit their website, which usually provides an online registration option. The more people who participate, the better equipped we’ll be to ensure a fair and efficient election for everyone.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for that invaluable information, Dr. Schmidt. It sounds like a unique opportunity to engage with and contribute to our democratic process. We hope to see many people stepping up to take on this important role.
Dr. Hannah Schmidt: Thank you for having me! I encourage everyone to get involved—it’s a rewarding experience that strengthens our democracy.