Volksabstimmung 1938 Ballot – Anschluss Plebiscite & Großdeutscher Reichstag, Unmarked Front

Description

This original Volksabstimmung 1938 ballot was printed for the plebiscite and Greater German Reichstag election of 10 April 1938, held after the annexation of Austria. The front is unmarked, so the famous unequal design, with a large “Ja” circle and a small “Nein” circle, can be seen exactly as printed. On the reverse, a light pencil cross has been drawn over the area where the “Ja” circle shows through the paper.

What Does This Volksabstimmung 1938 Ballot Say?

Volksabstimmung und Großdeutscher Reichstag
Stimmzettel
Bist Du mit der am 13. März 1938 vollzogenen Wiedervereinigung Österreichs mit dem Deutschen Reich einverstanden und stimmst Du für die Liste unseres Führers Adolf Hitler?
Ja ◯   Nein ○

In English: “Plebiscite and Greater German Reichstag. Ballot. Do you agree with the reunification of Austria with the German Reich carried out on 13 March 1938, and do you vote for the list of our Führer Adolf Hitler?” Approval of the annexation and support for Hitler’s Reichstag list were fused into one question, so a voter could not accept one and reject the other.

What Was the Plebiscite of 10 April 1938?

German troops entered Austria on 12 March 1938, and the law on Austria’s “reunification” with the Reich was enacted on 13 March. The vote of 10 April did not ask whether the annexation should happen; it asked voters to endorse it after the fact, together with the election of the new Greater German Reichstag. It followed an intense propaganda campaign, and Jewish citizens and others excluded under the racial laws could not vote. The regime announced a yes vote of over 99%.

Why Is the Reverse Interesting?

Most collectors look only at the printed side. On this example the front is clean, but the reverse carries a light pencil cross positioned over the show-through of the “Ja” circle. It is impossible to say who made the mark or why. It may be a practice mark, a later addition or something else entirely, so the ballot is described simply as a period ballot, unmarked on the front, with a pencil cross on the reverse. Both sides are photographed.

Collector’s Note

A Volksabstimmung 1938 ballot is one of the clearest documents of how design itself was used to steer voters. If you would like to compare examples, see our unmarked 1938 Anschluss referendum ballot (DOC216), the 1938 Austria plebiscite ballot with a light “Ja” mark (DOC214) and the 1938 Anschluss ballot with a bold “Ja” (DOC213). For the earlier 1936 vote, see our 1936 Hitler election ballot.

Condition

• General toning to a cream colour.
• Scattered minor spotting and light handling wear.
• Front unmarked; light pencil cross on the reverse.
• Printing clear and fully legible.

Please study both photographs of this Volksabstimmung 1938 ballot, which form an essential part of this condition description. Sold exactly as shown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ballot marked?

The voting side is unmarked. A light pencil cross appears on the reverse, over the show-through of the “Ja” circle.

Is this a German or an Austrian ballot?

The same wording was used across the enlarged Reich. The paper colour of this example has not been used to assign it to Austria or Germany.

When was the vote held?

On 10 April 1938.

Historical Responsibility Notice

This Volksabstimmung 1938 ballot is offered as a historical artefact for collecting, preservation, education and research. Its wording is retained because it is an original part of the document. Autographs & Militaria does not endorse or glorify National Socialist ideology. For our approach to this material, see collecting Third Reich material responsibly.

References & Further Reading

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, collection record for a 1938 plebiscite ballot.
• Wien Museum, Streuzettel, NS-Volksabstimmung zum Anschluss Österreichs an das Deutsche Reich am 10. April 1938.
• Autographs & Militaria, WW2 German documents.