Local elections coming up soon - April 19

On 19 April we will have both the mayoral election in Roßdorf (for the Bürgermeister) and the election of the leader of the regional parliament (for the Landrat).

According to Article 30 of the Hessische Gemeindeordnung (HGO), Germans and other European Union citizens who are resident in Germany have the right to vote.  Of course, in a truly democratic system nationality would not play a role - all residents would have the same rights.

As this is not yet the case, there are three steps that we can follow:

• encourage those who have not been disenfranchised to use their vote;
• by establishing an Ausländerbeirat give a voice to those who would otherwise be excluded from local and regional decision making;
• lobby for the extension of the franchise for regional and local elections irrespective of nationality.

On the 19 April, for those who can - use your vote.