der  Wahlleiter

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvaːlˌlaɪ̯tɐ/

🗳️ What does "der Wahlleiter" mean?

Der Wahlleiter is a German noun referring to a male person who is officially responsible for organizing, conducting, and supervising an election (e.g., Bundestagswahl - federal election, Landtagswahl - state election, Kommunalwahl - local election) correctly. He ensures compliance with electoral regulations and often chairs the election committee (Wahlausschuss) or electoral board (Wahlvorstand).

The feminine form is die Wahlleiterin.

This is an important function in the democratic process, requiring impartiality (Unparteilichkeit) and accuracy (Genauigkeit).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of Wahlleiter in Detail

The word "Wahlleiter" is a masculine noun. It uses the article der.

Example Sentences

1. Der Wahlleiter verkündete das vorläufige Ergebnis.
   (The electoral officer announced the preliminary result.)
2. Die Aufgaben des Wahlleiters sind im Wahlgesetz festgelegt.
   (The duties of the electoral officer are defined in the election law.)
3. Wir müssen dem Wahlleiter die Unterlagen übergeben.
   (We have to hand over the documents to the electoral officer.)
4. Man informierte den Wahlleiter über den Vorfall im Wahllokal.
   (The electoral officer was informed about the incident at the polling station.)
5. Die Wahlleiter der verschiedenen Bezirke trafen sich zur Besprechung.
   (The electoral officers from the different districts met for a discussion.)

📋 How is "Wahlleiter" used?

The term Wahlleiter is specifically used in the context of elections (Wahlen) and ballots (Abstimmungen). It denotes an official function and position.

• Context: Elections (political, but also e.g., in clubs or organizations), Wahlrecht (election law), democracy, administration.
• Function: The person leads and is responsible for the correct procedure of an election. This includes preparation, execution, and determination of the result.
• Distinction: A Wahlhelfer (election helper) assists the Wahlleiter and the Wahlvorstand (electoral board), but does not have the leading responsibility. The Wahlleiter is often a person with a legal or administrative background or an experienced official.

💡 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'der Leiter' (the leader/manager, masculine). A Wahlleiter is also a male person who leads something, hence der Wahlleiter.

Meaning Mnemonic: Who leitet (leads) the Wahl (election)? The Wahlleiter!

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

Similar Terms:

• Wahlvorstand: The committee responsible for a specific polling station. The Wahlleiter may operate at a higher level (e.g., for an entire municipality or electoral district).
• Wahlausschuss: An election committee that approves candidates and determines the final election result; the Wahlleiter often chairs this committee.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Kind den Wahlleiter: "Was machen Sie hier eigentlich den ganzen Tag?"
Antwortet der Wahlleiter: "Ich sorge dafür, dass am Ende auch wirklich das rauskommt, was die Leute gewählt haben."
Das Kind: "Ach so, Sie zählen also nur? Dachte, Sie leiten etwas Wichtigeres!"

Translation:
A child asks the electoral officer: "What do you actually do here all day?"
The electoral officer replies: "I make sure that what the people voted for actually comes out in the end."
The child: "Oh, so you just count? I thought you were leading something more important!"

📜 Poem about the Wahlleiter

Der Wahlleiter, mit ernster Miene,
sorgt für Ordnung, dient der Biene,
die Demokratie genannt,
führt die Wahl mit ruhiger Hand.

Zählt die Stimmen, prüft genau,
ob alles stimmt, bei Mann und Frau.
Sein Amt ist wichtig, ohne Frage,
an diesem entscheidenden Tage.

Translation:
The electoral officer, with a serious face,
ensures order, serves the bee,
that is called democracy,
conducts the election with a steady hand.

Counts the votes, checks precisely,
if all is correct, for man and woman.
His office is important, without question,
on this decisive day.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich trage Verantwortung, doch steh' nicht zur Wahl,
ich sorge für Ordnung im Wahllokal.
Ich leite den Prozess, vom Anfang bis zum Schluss,
damit die Demokratie bekommt ihren Guss.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I bear responsibility, but I'm not up for election,
I ensure order in the polling station.
I lead the process, from beginning to end,
so that democracy gets its proper cast/form.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Wahlleiter (The electoral officer)

🌐 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Wahlleiter" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• Wahl: The act of voting or the election itself.
• Leiter: A leader or manager.

Context: The term is firmly established in German election law (deutsches Wahlrecht) and refers to a specific, legally defined role.