postal voting
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postal voting
A method of casting a vote in elections in which eligible voters receive their ballots by mail and send them back, instead of voting in person at a polling station.
Da ich am Wahltag im Urlaub bin, habe ich meine Stimme per Briefwahl abgegeben.
Since I'll be on vacation on election day, I cast my vote by postal voting.
The word 'Briefwahl' (postal voting) is a compound of 'der Brief' (letter) and 'die Wahl' (election/vote). So it literally describes a vote carried out by letter.
Die Möglichkeit zur Briefwahl erleichtert vielen Menschen die Stimmabgabe.
The option of postal voting makes it easier for many people to cast their vote.
When you want to describe how you vote, you use the phrase 'per Briefwahl wählen' (to vote by postal voting) or 'per Briefwahl abstimmen' (to cast a vote by postal voting). The preposition 'per' (by/via) is typical here.
Viele Bürger haben sich entschieden, dieses Jahr per Briefwahl abzustimmen.
Many citizens have decided to vote by postal voting this year.
In connection with 'Briefwahl' (postal voting), certain verbs are very common. You have to 'Briefwahl beantragen' (apply for postal voting) and 'Briefwahlunterlagen anfordern' (request postal voting documents) or 'zugeschickt bekommen' (have them sent to you).
Man kann die Briefwahl online beantragen.
You can apply for postal voting online.
casting a vote
'die Briefwahl' and 'die Stimmabgabe' both have to do with elections. 'die Stimmabgabe' is the general process: you cast your vote, for example at a polling station or by mail. 'die Briefwahl' is only a specific type of casting a vote, namely with documents that you receive by mail and send back. Learners may confuse the words because a vote is also cast in postal voting. The important point is: every 'Briefwahl' is a 'Stimmabgabe', but not every 'Stimmabgabe' is 'Briefwahl'.
Weil sie am Wahltag verreist ist, beantragt Maria die Briefwahl.
Because she is traveling on election day, Maria applies for postal voting.
Die Stimmabgabe im Wahllokal dauerte nur wenige Minuten.
Casting a vote at the polling station took only a few minutes.