Chapter 7 of 7

Getting involved: there is always a way to take part

Democracy does not stop between elections, and many of these routes are open to people who cannot vote.

Democratic participation matters not only on election day but between elections too. The more people take part, the more different interests can be weighed when decisions are made. There are many ways to help shape politics and everyday life together, and people who are not entitled to vote can use most of them.

In everyday life, for example

• in clubs, local initiatives and interest groups;
• in the political party of your choice;
• at work, through staff councils or trade unions;
• at school through student or parent representation, or at university through the student union.

In the Bezirk

• at residents’ meetings, where the Bezirk presents important projects and plans;
• through requests or complaints to the district office;
• through residents’ questions in the BVV;
• through a residents’ motion supported by at least 1,000 people;
• through citizens’ initiatives and local referendums;
• through participatory budgeting and other participation projects, the Kiezradar map shows current projects near you;
• in advisory councils, or as a citizen deputy in the BVV.

Young people can also take part in children’s and youth parliaments, which exist in some Bezirke, and in other participation formats.

• Kiezradar: participation projects near you ↗

Across Berlin

• petitions: requests and complaints to the House of Representatives;
• popular initiatives, which need at least 20,000 signatures;
• referendums and popular votes.

Tip: sometimes simply raising an issue with a politician, by email or in a public consultation hour, already makes a difference. And anyone can join the party of their choice and take an active part in politics themselves.

The election is getting closer. What now?

Who should you vote for?

Many people decide only weeks or days before the election. Their choice often depends on the issues, policies and goals the parties campaign on, and for many also on which candidates they trust to solve important problems.

What matters to you?

Everyone, candidates included, has different ideas about what matters most and which of Berlin’s problems are most urgent.

Politicians argue so much. Who is right?

Parties, like people in general, often disagree on how problems should be solved: how to create housing, what good education looks like, how to secure future energy supplies, how to manage immigration. An election campaign is a competition of ideas that lets voters choose between different solutions and priorities.

Ways to form your own opinion

• Online media, newspapers, radio and television report on the campaign and the parties standing.
• Parties and candidates explain what they stand for at events and online. The street campaign in Berlin begins in August, when posters and information stands appear across the city.
• The Landeszentrale für politische Bildung offers basic information on the Berlin elections, online and in print.
• From 24 August the Wahl-O-Mat for the House election lets you compare your positions with the parties’.
• U16 election: children and young people under 16 can vote in the U16 election at many locations across Berlin on 11 September 2026.
• The Landeswahlleiterin’s website explains the procedure in detail.

• Wahl-O-Mat ↗
• U16 election Berlin ↗
• Landeswahlleiterin: Berlin elections 2026 ↗
• Landeszentrale für politische Bildung: Berlin elections 2026 ↗

Which issues matter most to you?

The elections on 20 September 2026 are about all of these questions, and many more. So: make sure you vote.