An electoral capitulation (German: Wahlkapitulation) was initially a written agreement in parts of Europe, principally the Holy Roman Empire, whereby from the 13th century onward, a candidate to a prince-bishopric had to agree to a set of preconditions presented by the cathedral chapter prior to electing a bishop to a vacant see.
Starting with the election of Emperor Charles V in 1519, a similar electoral capitulation was presented by the prince-electors to the future emperor. In both episcopal and imperial capitulations, the candidate swore to respect the terms and conditions set in the capitulation in the event of his election. The capitulation usually reaffirmed the privileges of the electors and placed limitations on the future prince-bishop or emperor's authority to exercise power.