434. From what age may one vote in municipal elections in Saxony-Anhalt?

Answer options

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

Explanation

In Saxony-Anhalt, the active franchise in municipal elections begins at 16; this is based on the Land’s Municipal Elections Act and operates within Article 28(1)–(2) of the Basic Law, which guarantees the electoral principles and local self-government. Setting the voting age lies within the Länder’s legislative competence, provided elections are general, direct, free, equal, and secret. One must distinguish the active from the passive franchise: the right to vote starts at 16, whereas eligibility for office is typically 18. The lowering of the voting age reflects a trend since the 1990s to enhance youth participation at the local level.