Strengthening Democracy: Free Beer to Boost Voter Turnout in Germany

A German city wants to increase citizen participation in federal elections with an unusual campaign. Duisburg is the first major city in Germany to offer voters free beer for their vote, Bild and Spiegel report.

Duisburg mayor and election official Martin Murrack came up with the unusual bonus for every voter. 

‘We want to do something about the low voter turnout and strengthen democracy,’ the mayor said.

However, the free drink is available only to a certain category of voters. The free beer will be offered to voters who receive their voting documents by post at the Bürgeramt Mitte on 15 February. Beer will be offered in both alcohol and non-alcohol versions.

The city said that voters can turn up between 10am and 2pm, ask questions and, if necessary, receive voting documents by post. 

According to the mayor, only those who cast their vote will receive a voucher that can be used on-site at a local brewery. 

‘The important thing is that the more people vote, the better,’ Murak continued.

The idea is not entirely new. Before the 2024 European elections, the election team provided information about a tour of the neighbourhood, and everyone who handed in their ballot paper as a postal voter at a stand in Beeck received a non-alcoholic beer from the local König brewery. 

At the last general election in 2021, the voter turnout in Duisburg was only 68.1%, compared to 76.6% across Germany.

So how does this beer bonus work? On Saturday 15 February, on the eve of the general election in the Ruhr city of Duisburg, the ‘polling station’ in Burgeramt (Sonnenwald) opens from 10:00 to 14:00. Every resident of Duisburg who is eligible to vote and has not yet applied for a postal vote can come and cast their vote in the Bundestag elections. In return, they will receive a freshly brewed König Pilsener directly on the spot. 

Election notices will be delivered to the approximately 313,000 residents of Duisburg from Tuesday 28 January. Those interested can apply for a postal vote at briefwahl.duisburg.de from 10 January, and 20,500 have already done so. It is likely that the city will not be able to issue and send postal voting documents until 7 February. From 10 to 21 February, it is also possible to apply and vote directly at seven district offices and the In den Haesen election centre in Homberg.