Voter turnout for German state elections in Saxony appears to be high

Voter turnout in the state elections in Saxony appeared to be high, with a 25.8% participation rate as of midday, the State Statistical Office reported on Sunday.

In 2019, the turnout rate by midday was 26.2%

These provisional figures do not yet include those who voted by mail. Forecasts are for 24.6% of eligible absentee voters to vote by mail. In 2019 that figure was 16.9%.

The vote started this morning, when polls opened at 8 am (0600 GMT) without incidence, the Saxony's electoral administration reported.

In Dresden, the state capital, voter turnout by noon was 57.5%, according to the city. Five years ago it was 53.3%

In Leipzig, a major city in the state, voter turnout was 52.5% by midday - significantly higher than the 40.8% seen in 2019.

But the data office noted that for both Dresden and Leipzig, the figures already included those who voted by mail.

In the city of Chemnitz, officials reported a rate of 33%, not including mail-in ballots, compared to 32% in 2019.