Local elections 2025: Declaration in plain language

Which elections are taking place?

There will be two elections in Bocholt on 14 September 2025:

• the municipal election

• the election of the Integration Council

Voters will decide in the local elections:

Who will be making policy in Bocholt and the Borken district over the next 5 years?
For example

• in the council of the city of Bocholt

• in the district council

• as a citizen champion

• as a regional councillor

At the same time, elections are also held for the Integration Council.

People with an international family history are members of the Integration Council.

The Integration Council discusses important issues with the city:

• equal opportunities for all

• no racism in Bocholt

• Culture and participation

• integration

Who can vote?

You can vote in the local elections in Bocholt:

• All people aged 16 and over.

• You must have lived in Bocholt for at least 16 days.

• You must have German citizenship or citizenship of a country in the European Union (EU).

You may take part in the election to the Integration Council:

• All people aged 16 and over.

• All people with a foreign nationality.

• All those who have been naturalised in Germany.

• All late resettlers and their children.

How can you vote?

• At the polling station:

  • On 14 September 2025, many people will go to the polling station.

  • There you will receive your ballot paper and can vote. You can find out where your polling station is on your election notification.

• With postal voting:

  • If you cannot go to the polling station on election day, you can vote by post.

  • You will receive the documents in the post. You can then vote at home.

  • To apply for postal voting, you can send us a letter. How can you do this? You can find out on the election notification you received in the post.
    
    

• At the polling station:

  • You can vote before election day! Simply come to the polling station in Bocholt.

  • There you will receive the postal voting documents and can vote directly!

  • Bring a valid identity card and your election letter, which you received by post.

  • You will find the election office at the Marien-Gymnasium in Bocholt. The address is: Schleusenwall 1, 46395 Bocholt

Who is elected? What do these people do?

• City Council:

  • The city council decides on many things in Bocholt.

  • For example: schools, roads, buses, culture or sport.

• District Council:

  • The district council decides on things in the whole district of Borken.

  • For example: hospitals, vocational schools or major roads.

• Mayor:

  • The Bürger-Meister is the head of the city administration.

  • He manages the city of Bocholt and represents the city externally.

• Land Council

  • The Land Council is the head of the district administration.
  • He manages the administration in the Borken district and represents the entire district externally.