Vienna votes: This is how voting works on election day!

Vienna votes: This is how voting works on election day!

The local council and district council elections will take place in Vienna on Sunday, April 27, 2025. These early elections are of particular importance because, among other things, they influence the composition of the Vienna municipal council and the district representatives. According to oe24.at, voters have two contrasting ballot papers available: a white ballot paper for the mayor and city government election and a yellow ballot paper for the district representative election.

A total of 1,109,930 Austrian citizens are eligible to vote, plus 264,776 EU citizens, who are only allowed to vote in the district council election. This number of voters also includes those who will celebrate their 16th birthday on January 28, 2025. To take part in the election, voters must be resident in Vienna and present a valid official photo ID on election day, although e-ID cards are not accepted.

Electoral procedures and voting

You can vote either in person at the polling station or by postal vote. To vote by post it is necessary to apply for the voting card by Friday lunchtime. Completed voting cards must be submitted by 5 p.m. on election day; the voting card can also be picked up in person at the election office. This Sunday, a total of 1,504 accessible polling stations will be available to voters, open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Voters can clearly identify the party they have chosen on the ballot paper and can also allocate preferential votes for candidates from their party. Ballots that are unclearly marked or that use unofficial ballots are considered invalid.

Elections and political representation

The Vienna municipal council election is crucial because the newly elected municipal council also elects the mayor. In the district council elections, however, voters have the opportunity to elect district leaders and their deputies. According to oesterreich.gv.at, the distribution of mandates in the districts between 40 and 60 mandates per district depends on the number of inhabitants.

For information about the election, citizens can contact the Vienna City Service on +43 1 4000 – 4001. In addition, from the beginning of February 2025, all people eligible to vote will receive house notices containing precise information about the number of people eligible to vote per apartment and can request entries, deletions or corrections in the electoral roll during the correction process from February 18th to 27th.

Overall, the upcoming election shows how important it is for the population to participate in democratic processes in order to ensure a representative and fair political landscape in Vienna. More information about the election and the groups eligible to vote can be found at oesterreich.gv.at.