An Instagram reel series about people who were not allowed to vote in the state election in Rhineland-Palatinate | 15.04.2026
What’s it like not having a vote?
What motivates those who will not be allowed to vote in the 2026 state election in Rhineland-Palatinate? Third-semester Master’s students investigated this question by interviewing school pupils under the age of 18, a former homeless person* and a Ukrainian woman.
The project was once again developed in collaboration with AMAL Frankfurt, an online platform featuring news in Arabic, Farsi, Pashto and Ukrainian, as well as SWR Aktuell. The aim of the collaboration was to produce four reel videos under journalistic conditions, to promote intercultural exchange, and thus to work innovatively not only in theory but also in practice. The videos were published on Instagram and YouTube ahead of the election.
Belinay, a school pupil: “I’d like to participate in decision-making”
Instagram reel about BelinayYouTube reel about Belinay
Muhammed, a school pupil: “Decisions are being made about us, not with us”
Instagram reel about MuhammedInstagram reel about Muhammed
Maya, a former homeless person: “I’m going to vote”
Instagram reel about MayaInstagram reel about Maya
Anhelina, a Ukrainian woman: “To me, democracy means having a voice”
Instagram reel about AnhelinaInstagram reel about Anhelina
The voting age and the protagonist Belinay were also discussed during the SWR Twitch livestream on the state election.
SWR Twitch stream on the state electionClick on the following link to read the online article by our Master’s student Asja Wortmann:
Article by Asja Wortmann (in German)The project was supervised and supported by Ronnie Darwish from Amal, a film and video producer; Justin Peach, a freelance cameraman and editor; Ingrid Reitenbach from SWR; and Gabi Glasstetter from the School of Journalism.
*Under certain circumstances, people without a permanent address are also entitled to vote. If they meet the criteria – for example, if they have been staying in Rhineland-Palatinate for more than three months – they can apply to be included on the electoral register before the election. There are no statistics on how many people make use of this option.
Behind the scenes | Film shoot with Maya
Behind the scenes | Support from documentary filmmaker Justin Peach
Behind the scenes | Film shoot with Anhelina
Behind the scenes | Film shoot with Belinay
Behind the scenes | Film shoot with Muhammed