Foreign residents in Germany typically lack opportunities to directly participate in domestic politics, but elections for local Migration Advisory Boards offer a notable exception. The city of Munich is hosting an important election for immigrants and foreign residents this month, with voters casting ballots on November 22nd to choose members for its next Migrationsbeirat.
Munich Mayor Dominik Krause announced the upcoming election in a social media video explaining the board's role. The Munich Migrants Advisory Board consists of 40 people, with many board members knowing first-hand what it means to start over in a new country. Their job is to represent foreign residents who cannot otherwise vote or directly participate in most German elections, taking ideas and concerns to city hall.
The concept is not unique to Munich, as many German municipalities have similar boards under varying names, such as the Advisory Board for Migration and Integration in Unkel, North Rhine-Westphalia. Cities often alert foreign residents by mail, but individuals can also search online using terms like Migrationsbeirat and their city name to check for local boards and election dates. In Munich, eligible voters include city residents without German citizenship and German dual citizens who have held their passport for no more than twelve years.
Voters must also be at least 18 years old on election day and have lived in Munich for at least six months. The same qualifications apply to standing for election, though candidates needed to register by September. Munich residents should have already received mail notifications, and eligible voters can cast their ballots at a polling station on November 22nd or via postal vote by registering at least one week in advance.
Source: The Local. Read the original report ↗