1918-19 German state elections

Elections were held throughout the Weimar Republic during 1918 and 1919 to elect local state assemblies. Due to various factors the dates of these elections were not consistent, with some being held before and after the federal election to the National Assembly on 23 February 1919.

## Prussia

Elections to the State Assembly (*Landesversammlung*) of the Free State of Prussia were held on 2 March 1919, a week after the federal election. The old three-class franchise system, which had grossly overrepresented the bourgeoisie, was abolished in favor of a proportional system with women's suffrage.

The parties of the Weimar Coalition (SPD, Zentrum and DDP) won a comfortable majority, with a combined 71.8% of votes cast and 291 seats. There was a notable shift in votes towards the KPD compared to the federal election, primarily due to voters shifting away from the USPD. SPD politician Paul Hirsch, who had been Minister-President since November 1918, continued in his post.

## Bavaria

Elections to the State Parliament (*Landtag*) of the People's State of Bavaria were held on 8 February 1919 in most of Bavaria, with additional delayed elections being held in the Entente-occupied Palatinate on 9 March 1919.

The results were unfavorable for the incumbent USPD-led government of Kurt Eisner, whose party received only 3.1% of the votes and four seats. This was worse than their showing in the National Assembly elections two weeks later, where they received 4.2% of votes cast. The KPD did not run any of its own candidates, instead encouraging its supporters to vote USPD.

## Württemberg

Elections to the State Assembly (*Landesversammlung*) of the People's State of Württemberg were held on 16 February 1919.

The results favored the SPD and the parties of the Weimar Coalition. The USPD, which had been part of the transitional government until mid-January, formed a united electoral list with the KPD that won 6 seats, with most of their votes coming from the city of Stuttgart.

## Baden

Elections to the local National Assembly (*Nationalversammlung*) of Republic of Baden were held on 16 February 1919.

The results favored the parties of the Weimar Coalition (SPD, Zentrum and DDP), with Zentrum emerging on top. The USPD and KPD formed a united electoral list that won 3 seats, and the USPD was subsequently expelled from the cabinet.

## Thuringia

The Thuringia region, excluding the Prussian portion, was divided into nine states during the Weimar Republic period. All were based on the former monarchies of the German Empire, with the only difference being the division of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha into Coburg and Gotha. Although there were aspirations to unify these states, the Weimar Republic was dissolved before such a reform could be implemented. After the Free Socialist Republic of Germany was established these states were unified into a singular state of Thuringia, which also includes the former Prussian portion, but excludes Coburg, which joined the Bavarian state of Franconia.

### Coburg

Elections to the State Parliament (*Landtag*) of the Free State of Coburg were held on 9 February 1919. It was held after the split of the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha into Coburg and Gotha.

The SPD emerged with a majority, defeating a bourgeois opposition list led by the DDP. None of the revolutionary parties (USPD and KPD) participated, though the USPD would receive 2% of Coburg's votes in the federal election a few weeks later.

### Gotha

Elections to the State Parliament (*Landtag*) of the Free State of Gotha were held on 25 February 1919. It was held after the split of the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha into Coburg and Gotha.

The KPD won a near majority of votes, standing as an outlier amidst other state elections. The USPD did not participate, as the local members and leaders overwhelmingly shifted to the KPD after the January split. Gotha itself was notable for its long left-wing history, having been the site where the SPD and USPD were founded in 1875 and 1917 respectively. A KPD government was formed led by Otto Geithner, and Gotha would become a central location of the May Revolution.

### Reuss

Elections were held in the Free State's of Reuss-Gera and Reuss-Greiz on 2 February 1919. The two states were formed out of the former principalities, both led by the same ruling house. On 21 December 1918 the two states formed a joint administrative community, which was a stepping stone that preceded a complete unification on 4 April 1919.