Voting Processes - Seeking election volunteers who possess funds and correspondence.
Heading to the polling station and casting your vote or sending in mail-in ballots a few days before the election: For many of us, the upcoming municipal and European elections don't seem like a big deal. Yet, thousands of people are needed to make these elections go smoothly in Rhineland-Palatinate.
But what exactly do election helpers do on election day? "The members of the election committee ensure the orderly conduct of the election at the polling station," explains the spokesperson for the state election leader. "After the voting process ends at 6:00 p.m., provisional election results for each voting district are determined by all election committee members. This involves checking lists, sorting ballot papers, and counting votes."
For each election district, an election committee is formed, consisting of a chairman, his deputy, three to eight eligible deputies, and a clerk. In Rhineland-Palatinate, there's a need for helpers in various cities. Are there enough volunteers?
In Kaiserslautern, approximately 800 helpers are needed this time around, says a city spokesperson. "We still need deputy chairmen and deputies, especially for the mail-in voting stations." So far, they've relied on voluntary registrations. "We've received a few more election helpers from a random letter that was sent out," the spokesperson admitted. "It's getting harder and harder to find election helpers." In Zweibrücken, things are different. About 350 helpers will be active there, with an additional 20 internal helpers, says a city spokesperson.
No problems in Mainz and Koblenz
In Mainz, a total of about 2,200 election helpers are required on June 9 and the day after. There have been no problems in recruiting helpers, and the first training sessions have already taken place. The city urged people to sign up as election helpers on its website, Instagram, in the press, and through "friendly letters." A "good mix of young and old, experienced and new election helpers" has formed, according to City Spokesperson Ralf Peterhanwahr.
In Koblenz, all positions will shortly be filled, says the city spokesperson. A total of 1,872 election helpers are required in the city of Rhine and Moselle.
Increase in refreshment money
In the municipality of Konz in the Trier-Saarburg district, the city council decided to increase the so-called refreshment money as a flat-rate allowance for election helpers. Now, the chairman, the clerk, and their deputies receive 70 euros each, while other members receive 50 euros. The amounts are thus twice as high as the minimum amounts. In the municipalities of the Verbandsgemeinde Konz and in the districts of Konz, there are already enough election helpers, says spokeswoman Annette Krause. However, helpers are still being sought for the city of Konz. A total of 308 election helpers are needed in the Verbandsgemeinde.
Chairmen in high demand
In the city of Trier, there are still roughly 130 election helpers and helpers needed, primarily for the counting of mail-in ballots and at polling stations in the role of presiding officers. A total of around 1100 helpers are required, the city announced. Recruitment was done through posters, flyers, and banners, as well as advertising on buses, an LED board, and in the city hall on the info screen. Additionally, former election helpers and helpers were contacted, and "random letters to citizens" were sent out. The payment is €35 for presiding officers, as well as deputies and scribes, and €25 for deputies.
On June 9, municipal elections and simultaneous European elections will take place in Rhineland-Palatinate. Both elections occur every five years. In 2260 municipalities, 29 non-associated communities, 129 associations, 12 free cities, 24 districts, and in the Palatinate region, people are elected. In some cities, there will also be elections for local councils and local mayors. In the European election, citizens of EU member states choose the composition of the European Parliament.
More information on the European election More information on the municipal election
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- In Kaiserslautern, with approximately 800 election helpers needed, the city is still seeking deputy chairmen and eligible deputies, particularly for mail-in voting stations.
- In contrast, Zweibrücken, requiring about 350 helpers, has enough volunteers, with an additional 20 internal helpers.
- For the municipal elections and simultaneous European elections in Rhineland-Palatinate on June 9, Mainz, requiring around 2,200 helpers, has no issues in recruitment, and training sessions have already commenced.
- In Koblenz, the city spokesperson reports that all positions will soon be filled, with 1,872 election helpers needed for the city of Rhine and Moselle.
- In the Trier-Saarburg district's municipality of Konz, election helpers' remuneration has been increased as a flat-rate allowance, with presiding officers and their deputies now receiving 70 euros each, while other members receive 50 euros.
Source: www.stern.de
