Alle haben die Wahl

“Everyone has a vote.” Everyone? Everyone except... children, young people, citizens with a migrant background who do not have German citizenship, people with disabilities, and many others.

Around 17 million adults with a migrant background live in Germany. Only a quarter of them are eligible to vote in federal elections. This means that around 10 million people living in Germany were not allowed to vote in the last federal election on February 23, 2025.

Being able to vote is a precious right. Nevertheless, elections often take place behind rickety partition walls or in rooms that are not barrier-free. What does the design of rooms – in which our democracy is put into practice – say about our appreciation of democratic processes? When do we feel involved in democratic processes, and when do we feel excluded? When do we participate – and when do we not?

Architecture students at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences are addressing these and similar questions as part of their WDC project “Everyone has a vote.” Together, they are designing and building an inclusive voting booth for everyone, which will then be set up in a public space. There, it will encourage people to think about topics such as inclusion, participation, voting rights, and the spatial design of democracy.

Come by—your vote counts!