The Golden Bull of 1356 regulates the whole election process in great detail, listing explicitly where, when, and under which circumstances what should be done by whom, not only for the prince-electors but also (for example) for the population of Frankfurt, where the elections are to be held, and also for the counts of the regions the prince-electors have to travel through to get here.

The decision to hold the elections in Frankfurt reflects a traditional feeling dating from East Frankish days that both election and coronation ought to take place on Frankish soil.

However, the election location is not the only specified location; the bull specifies that the coronation will take place in Aachen, and Nuremberg will be the place where the first diet of a reign shall be held.

The elections are to be concluded within thirty days; failing that, the bull prescriber that the prince-electors rre to receive only bread and water until they have decided.