Overview
- Frankfurt needs about 7,000 helpers and is nearly fully staffed, the elections office says, with 378 Sunday precinct boards, 200 postal-vote boards and 193 counting boards planned.
- Wiesbaden, Pfungstadt and Idstein report all positions filled, with Idstein and Gießen maintaining reserve lists in case of last‑minute absences.
- Kassel still seeks roughly 100 of 2,100 required helpers, Fulda is short about 100 firm commitments of 1,400, and Eschwege needs around 20, while Darmstadt mainly looks for alternates.
- Refreshment pay varies widely by municipality and role, ranging from about €25 to up to €90, with examples including Frankfurt (up to €90), Kassel (€35–€50 plus training allowances) and Fulda (up to €70 with refreshments).
- Cities add small incentives such as museum vouchers, free public transport on election day, sweets and gifts, honors for repeat service and a day off for some staff, as officials also remind citizens that poll work is a legally regulated civic duty.