XXL Ballots in Frankfurt: What to Know
In the municipal election on March 15, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main voters will encounter unusually large ballots. The city says the sheets measure 144 by 60 centimeters, and they present a real challenge because they are 20 centimeters wider than five years ago despite having fewer lists. The wider format is caused mainly by long names that force wider columns, and the result has been described with a touch of humor as a mix of voting and gymnastics.
Why the ballots grew
Officials point to layout reasons: long candidate and list names increase the needed column width. Even with fewer proposals on the ballot than in the previous election, this change in text length made the overall sheet larger.
- Ballot size: 144 by 60 centimeters.
- Wider by about 20 cm compared with five years ago.
- Main cause: long names expanding column width, according to the city.
- The XXL format has drawn lighthearted comparisons to a mixture of voting and exercise.
What voters can expect at the polling station
The large ballots are likely to slow down the familiar routine at polling stations. Voters should be prepared for a physically bigger sheet and the need to scan longer columns of names when making their choice. The size itself is a practical consideration on top of the usual electoral steps.
- Allow a bit more time than usual to find names and mark choices.
- If the format feels difficult, polling staff can help explain the layout.
- Look carefully for party names and candidate lists across the wider columns.
The bigger picture: Hessian municipal elections
The Frankfurt ballots are one visible detail in the larger context of the Hessian municipal elections on March 15, 2025. Almost 4.7 million citizens will vote across 421 cities and municipalities and in 21 county councils (Kreistage). Local issues, campaign styles and ballot formats vary across the state.
| City | Main issue | Notable positions |
|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt | Traffic policy; drug assistance in Bahnhofsviertel | Greens: ‘Frankfurter Weg’; CDU/FDP: tougher measures |
| Kassel | Tempo 30 debate | Greens and Left support Tempo 30; FDP and CDU oppose |
| Wiesbaden | Traffic disputes | Varied positions among local parties |
| Gießen | Traffic disputes | Varied positions among local parties |
| Hessian municipal elections see a range of local priorities and contrasting party positions. | ||
Key local issues in Frankfurt
In Frankfurt the campaign is dominated by traffic policy — debates over bicycle streets, Tempo 30 and parking — and by questions around drug assistance in the Bahnhofsviertel. The Greens advocate the so-called ‘Frankfurter Weg’, while the CDU and FDP call for tougher measures. These differences shape voter discussions and party messaging in the city.
Different approaches across cities
Positions vary elsewhere in Hesse: for example, in Kassel Tempo 30 divides parties (Greens and the Left in favor, FDP and CDU opposed), and other places such as Wiesbaden and Gießen are also experiencing heated traffic disputes. These contrasts illustrate how transport policy and local priorities differ between municipalities.
Practical takeaways for voters
The oversized ballots are a small but telling detail of this municipal election season. They underline that local elections, like the Hessian municipal elections in March 2025, are shaped by administrative decisions and by concrete local debates over transport, parking and social support in neighbourhoods like the Bahnhofsviertel.
What voters should remember
When you head to the polls, keep the date and the main local issues in mind. Expect large-format ballots in Frankfurt, be patient when scanning longer columns of names, and focus on the positions that matter to you: traffic policy, parking, bicycle streets, Tempo 30 and local approaches to drug assistance are central topics in this election.
- Election date: March 15, 2025 — municipal elections across Hesse.
- Expect XXL ballots in Frankfurt (144 by 60 cm) and allow extra time to vote.
- Pay attention to party positions on traffic and drug assistance when choosing.
- If the large format is challenging, ask polling staff for guidance at the station.
