1934 German head of state referendum

1934 German referendum

19 August 1934
The office of the national president is united with that of the national chancellor. In consequence, the former powers of the national president pass to the leader and national chancellor, Adolf Hitler. He appoints his deputy. Do you, German man, and you, German woman, approve of the arrangement made in this law?
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 38,394,848 89.93% No 4,300,370 10.07% Valid votes 42,695,218 97.99% Invalid or blank votes 873,668 2.01% Total votes 43,568,886 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 45,552,059 95.65%
Results by Gau

A referendum on merging the posts of Chancellor and President was held in Nazi Germany on 19 August 1934, seventeen days after the death of President Paul von Hindenburg. The German leadership sought to gain approval for Adolf Hitler's assumption of supreme power. The referendum was associated with widespread intimidation of voters and significant electoral fraud.

Hitler used the resultant large "yes" vote to claim public support to succeed Hindenburg as the de facto head of state of Germany, though he had assumed presidential powers in addition to his own powers as Chancellor immediately upon Hindenburg's death. The referendum was meant to legitimise that move and allowed Hitler to take the title Führer und Reichskanzler (Führer and Reich Chancellor).