Leipzig wants to enable homeless people to vote – a glimmer of hope!

Leipzig wants to enable homeless people to vote – a glimmer of hope!

In Leipzig there is significant progress in the political participation of homeless people. On the occasion of the planned mayoral election in 2027, the council meeting on October 29, 2025 supported an initiative by the Left Party that aims to involve homeless citizens in local elections. The Leipziger Internet Zeitung reports that In Saxony, homeless people are currently excluded from taking part in local elections - a regulation that has already been changed in most federal states. However, they can vote for elections at state, federal and European level if they register on the electoral roll.

What is interesting is the fact that out of an estimated 1,000 homeless people in Leipzig, only 29 actually cast their vote in the last federal election. This low number shows how important it is to lower the barriers to voting. As LinXXnet also reports, Many of these people often lack the opportunity to register on the electoral roll in a timely manner, as this must be done up to 21 days before the election and requires an affidavit.

A clear plan for the future

The council has now also adopted a proposal for the possibility of postal voting in homeless assistance facilities. However, the administration encountered legal concerns regarding the selective funding of certain groups. The left-wing faction that submitted this proposal in particular insisted on the need for greater co-determination. City councilor Juliane Nagel emphasized the urgency that homeless people need to be better integrated into political issues, including social and health care and housing policy.

In order to make democracy accessible to everyone, structured contact points such as day meetings and overnight accommodations were also proposed, which are intended to actively support homeless people. These integrative measures are intended not only to increase the number of voters, but also to ensure that the voices of those affected are heard in the political discussion.

The increasing number of homeless people

In addition, the number of homeless people in Leipzig is alarming: According to the Federal Statistical Office, there were almost 1,000 homeless people in 2024. An active self-representation of those affected, also known as a peer group, has been formed and ensures that the needs and concerns of homeless people are not only heard but also incorporated into political measures.

With all of these developments, the concern to strengthen the democratic participation of homeless people seems to be gaining more and more momentum in Leipzig. The city plans to lobby the Saxon state government for local voting rights for homeless people in order to make progress specifically for the upcoming mayoral election in 2027.

It remains to be seen what the next steps will be. The changes are necessary to address the increasingly difficult situation of homeless people and ensure that their voices are heard. A step towards a fairer and more inclusive Leipzig!