In the German Reich, there were two legislative bodies within Parliament, much like in the United States and its own legislative branch. And like the United States these two bodies were chosen based upon two distinctive factors.
Within the German Empire, the lower branch of Parliament was elected via popular vote by the citizens of the Empire. While in the higher of the two branches, that being Parliament, the Bundesrat and its members were chosen by the regional governments of every State within the Empire.
This was actually similar to how the United States senate functioned originally and even still at this time. It would only be a year from now, in 1913, where US Senators were elected via popular both at the booth by citizens.