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How did the Social Democratic Party continue participating in elections while it was outlawed?

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Map showing the German Empire as it existed from 1871 to 1918, with its borders outlined and regions color-coded. The map highlights the Kingdom of Prussia in green and the full extent of the German Empire in yellow, including regions such as Bavaria, Saxony, Westphalia, and East Prussia. Neighboring countries like France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria-Hungary, and the Russian Empire are also labeled. Major cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are marked. — German Empire The German Empire, 1871–1918.

Under the Anti-Socialist Law enacted in 1878, the Social Democratic Party was officially declared illegal, and its meetings and the distribution of its literature were prohibited by the government of Otto von Bismarck.12

Despite these restrictions, the party continued to operate effectively in practice. The laws did not prevent Social Democrats from running as candidates in elections, and they continued to hold seats in the Reichstag. Furthermore, the party maintained its influence by smuggling socialist journals into the country from Switzerland.2

Ultimately, the repression proved ineffective at curbing the movement's growth. By the time the law expired in 1890, the party had significantly increased its support, demonstrating that the strategy of education and political participation—rather than conspiracy—had been successful.31