The German word for “to vote” is “wählen”, which also means “to choose”. The word for “election”, however, is “Wahl” (f.) (not to be confused with the sound-alike “Wal” (m.) which means “whale”). The word for one’s “vote” is “Stimme” (f.), which also means “voice” (which, incidentally, is where the English word “vote” comes from):

– “Heute findet die Wahl statt.” – “Today the election is happening.”
– “Du hast die Wahl.” – “You have the choice.”
– “Du must heute wählen.” – “You have to choose/vote today.”
– “Ich stimme für den Kandidaten A.” – “I am voting for candidate A.”
– “Ich habe meine Stimme abgegeben.” – “I handed in my vote.”
– “Ich stimme gegen ihn.” – “I am voting against him.”
– “Er hat die Wahl gewonnen/verloren.” – “He won/lost the election.”

Relatedly, the German word for “vote rigging” is “Stimmenkauf” (m.), to be “entitled to vote” is “wahlberechtigt”, a “dissenting vote” is “Gegenstimme” and the “right to vote” is “Stimmrecht” (n.).

Note: The German word “abstimmen” is used when people vote on a matter in order to come to a decision or to an agreement:

– “Wir haben über den Antrag abgestimmt.” – “We have voted on the proposal.”