Germany’s September elections are under threat from a wave of online disinformation—but the claims don’t hold up.

As Germany prepares for three major votes in September, social media is buzzing with false rumors that postal voting is rigged. The same baseless claims have circulated around elections in other countries. Here’s the reality: the system is secure. Postal voting in Germany requires strict identity verification. Every ballot is linked to a registered voter, and tampering is punishable by law. Election officials cross-check signatures and count ballots under public supervision. The rumors often point to isolated errors or delays as proof of fraud. But experts say these are rare human mistakes, not systemic failures. Germany’s Federal Returning Officer has repeatedly confirmed that no evidence of widespread manipulation exists. Why do these myths persist? Because they spread faster than facts. Social media algorithms reward sensational posts, and foreign actors have used similar tactics to sow doubt in other democracies. The takeaway is simple: German voters can trust their postal ballots. The system has checks and balances that work, and the upcoming elections will be counted fairly—despite the noise online.