384. From what age may one vote in municipal elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?

Answer options

1. 14
2. 16
3. 18
4. 20

Explanation

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the active voting age in municipal elections is 16; this is set by the state’s municipal election law and is consistent with Article 28(1) of the Basic Law, which leaves the design of local electoral law to the Länder subject to the principles of universal, direct, free, equal, and secret suffrage. By contrast, eligibility for office is generally 18; enfranchised are German citizens and resident EU citizens. Historically, the Federal Republic lowered the general voting age at the federal level from 21 to 18 in 1970 (Art. 38(2) GG); moving to 16 for municipal elections is a more recent Länder-level reform to strengthen youth participation in local democracy.