Since 8 a.m. polling stations across Bavaria have been open for the eagerly awaited local elections. About 10.1 million eligible voters are being called to participate in nearly 4 000 ballots that will decide the makeup of municipal and city councils, as well as district councils. Mayors and lord mayors are also being elected.

The contests serve as a political mood test for state premier Markus Söder of the CSU and his coalition with the Free Voters. As the last statewide vote before the 2028 state election, a weaker showing for the CSU could heighten intra‑party pressure on Söder.

Among the changes introduced are the removal of the previous upper age limit of 67 for candidacies to full‑time mayors and district chief administrators, and a shift toward more professional mayoral positions in the future. Voting rights remain restricted to persons of full legal age.