The city of Duisburg in western Germany has introduced an unconventional initiative to encourage voter participation, particularly in areas with historically low turnout. Early voters who cast their absentee ballots in the city center by 2 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) on Saturday were offered a voucher for a free drink, redeemable at a beer cart set up near the polling station. The voucher could be used for either a beer or a non-alcoholic beverage, with support from a local brewery.

According to a reporter from the German dpa news agency, approximately 80 voters took advantage of the offer within the first hour. Martin Murrack, a Duisburg election official, noted that the northern part of the city has consistently seen lower voter turnout. For instance, during the 2021 federal election, only 63.3% of eligible voters in Duisburg participated.

The initiative aims to boost engagement by combining civic duty with a small incentive, reflecting the city’s creative approach to addressing voter apathy. Officials hope this effort will lead to increased participation in future elections.