Citizen Referendum on Five Street Names

Basio badr

ago 41 minutes

A significant citizen referendum is set for February 8, 2026, in the Münster-Mitte district. Eligible voters will decide whether to rename five streets or to keep their current names. The streets involved are Skagerrakstraße, Admiral-Scheer-Straße, Admiral-Spee-Straße, Otto-Weddigen-Straße, and Langemarckstraße.

Background of the Citizen Referendum

The initiative arises from public sentiment prompted by the “Bürgerinitiative für Münsters Straßen,” which aims to mitigate reminders of National Socialism in street names. In August 2023, the initiative collected 6,071 valid signatures to contest the proposed changes. The Münster City Council approved the legitimacy of this citizen request on November 5, 2023.

Key Dates for the Referendum

Public notices regarding the voting process will be published in the official bulletin on November 28, 2023.
Voting notifications will be sent out by the city’s electoral office starting January 12, 2026.
The voting office will open on January 14, 2026, and will remain open until February 6, 2026.
The referendum voting day is set for February 8, 2026.

Details of the Voting Process

On the referendum day, polling stations will operate from 8 AM to 6 PM across 37 districts within Münster-Mitte. Voters will answer the question: “Should the decisions made on May 6, 2025, regarding the renaming of the streets be overturned and retain the current names?”

Voter Eligibility and Requirements

As of November 27, 2023, 108,685 residents are eligible to vote in Münster-Mitte.
To succeed, a majority of valid votes must favor keeping the current street names.
A minimum threshold, or quorum, of over 10% of eligible voters must participate, equating to at least 10,869 votes for preservation.

Next Steps for Residents

Residents can vote either by mail or at the voting office located in Stadthaus 1. This office will operate to facilitate voter participation leading up to the referendum.