Wähler

Wähler is a German noun meaning a person who participates in elections by casting a ballot. The plural form is Wähler, and the feminine form Wählerinnen; in neutral references the group is often referred to as Wählerinnen und Wähler to emphasize both genders. In everyday language, the term designates someone who has the right to vote and who exercises that right in a given election.

In formal or legal contexts, the concept is closely related to terms such as Wahlberechtigter or Stimmberechtigter, which denote a person who is eligible to vote. The word Wähler can thus refer to those who are eligible or those who actually vote, depending on context. The broader concept of the electorate is captured by terms like Wählerschaft or the phrase die Wähler.

Wähler participate in various types of elections, including national parliamentary elections, regional or state elections, municipal elections, and elections to the European Parliament. The outcome of an election is determined by the votes of the Wähler, commonly expressed as Wählerstimmen, with turnout often considered a key factor in assessing the legitimacy and mandate of elected representatives. When analyzing voting behavior, scholars speak of Wählerverhalten or Wählerwanderung to describe changes in preferences across elections.

Related topics include voter registration (Wählerverzeichnis or Wählerliste), voter turnout, and the distinction between eligible voters and actual voters. The term remains central to discussions of democratic participation and election administration in German-speaking countries.