Referendum on climate neutrality: Enough election workers egistered

For the Berlin referendum on climate neutrality on Sunday, there are now enough election workers available.

"The calls were successful," state election officer Stephan Bröchler said Friday in response to a dpa inquiry. "There are now enough election workers, election boards and secretaries for Sunday." He added that this showed that the volunteers were not just in it for the money; they receive up to 120 euros for their efforts. "Berlin's citizens are demonstrating their public spirit," Bröchler said.

Around 25,000 election workers on duty

A total of around 25,000 election workers are expected to be on duty during the vote. Until recently, hundreds of helpers were still being sought in several districts because other people who had registered dropped out at short notice. According to the state election administration, the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district office has signed up several dozen executives to serve as supervisors at polling stations. Other district offices had not made use of this instrument to the knowledge of the election management, it was said.

2.4 million Berliners eligible to vote

The referendum was pushed through by the "Klimaneustart" alliance. It wants Berlin to become climate-neutral by 2030 and not, as previously planned, by 2045. To achieve this, the state's energy transition law is to be amended. The prerequisite for this is that a majority of voters vote in favor of it on March 26, but at least 25 percent of those eligible to vote. This means that around 608,000 votes are needed. A total of around 2.4 million Berliners are eligible to vote.