A referendum on merging the posts of Chancellor and President was held in Nazi Germany on 19 August 1934,[1] 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 Hitler used the resultant large "yes" vote to claim public support for his activities as the de factohead of state of Germany. In fact, he had assumed these offices and powers immediately upon Hindenburg's death and used the referendum to legitimise that move and take the title Führer und Reichskanzler (Führer and Reich Chancellor).
1934 referendum in Nazi Germany which allowed Hitler to assume absolute power as the Führer
1934 German referendum
19 August 1934
The office of the President of the Reich is unified with the office of the Chancellor. Consequently all former powers of the President of the Reich are transmitted to the Führer and Chancellor of the Reich Adolf Hitler. He himself nominates his substitute. Do you, German man and German woman, approve of this regulation provided by 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%
Banner with the campaign message "Yes to the Führer!" on a school building in Fürth
