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 . dpa jan xxde mew mls Source: The Namibia News Agency