119. Elections in Germany are free. What does that mean?

Answer options

1. 1. All convicted offenders are not allowed to vote.
2. 2. If I want to go vote, my employer must give me time off.
3. 3. Every person can decide without coercion whether to vote and whom to vote for.
4. 4. I can freely decide where I want to go to vote.

Explanation

“Free” within the electoral principles of Article 38(1 of the Basic Law) (together with Article 28(1)) means free formation and expression of political will without state or private coercion; the choice whether to vote and for whom, including the choice to abstain, is protected. Impermissible influences—such as vote buying or pressure by employers or authorities—are prohibited; secrecy of the ballot buttresses this freedom, though it is an independent principle. Contrary to option 1, there is no blanket disenfranchisement of offenders; disenfranchisement is permissible only in narrowly circumscribed cases by court order (§ 45 Criminal Code; § 13 Federal Election Act). There is no general statutory right to time off (election day is typically Sunday and postal voting is available), and without a voting certificate one normally votes at the assigned precinct polling place.