126. What do eligible voters in Germany receive before an election?

Answer options

1. a voter notification (Wahlbenachrichtigung) from the municipality
2. a voting permit from the Federal President
3. a notification from the Federal Convention
4. a notification from the parish office

Explanation

Under the Federal Electoral Regulations (Bundeswahlordnung, §§ 18–19), municipalities acting as electoral authorities send a voter notification specifying the polling place, time, and options for postal voting (Briefwahl). Suffrage under Article 38 of the Basic Law is universal, direct, free, equal, and secret, and its practical administration is carried out locally. Neither the Federal President nor the Federal Convention has any administrative role in general elections; the Federal Convention exists solely to elect the Federal President. Parish offices play no role in state elections, reflecting the constitutional separation of state and church (Art. 140 GG in conjunction with Arts. 136–139, 141 of the Weimar Constitution).