New Zealanders can now vote in the general election, but opening hours vary and the enrolment deadline has passed. Here are the key practical details.
Voters do not have to wait until election day to have their say. Advance voting opened on Monday, 26 October, for New Zealand’s general election, with ballots closing at 7pm on Saturday, 7 November.
For anyone planning to vote during a lunch break or around work and family commitments, the first step is checking the location and opening hours. The Electoral Commission says advance voting sites operate on different days and timetables, with more locations opening as election day approaches.
Its voting-place map is available at vote.nz, and information is also available on 0800 36 76 56. More than 2,300 voting places are scheduled to open from 9am to 7pm on election day.
The enrolment deadline was midnight on Sunday, 25 October. In its pre-voting guidance, the commission said voters had to be enrolled by that deadline for their vote to count.
An EasyVote card can speed up the process, but is not required to cast a ballot.
There are two votes: one for a political party and one for an electorate candidate. People can vote outside their electorate by casting a special vote.
Help is available for voters who need it. A support person may read the ballot or mark it at the voter’s request, but cannot decide how that person votes. The voter must make the choice themselves.
Domestic voting is not available online. People unable to reach a voting place can check alternative arrangements through the Electoral Commission rather than asking someone to vote on their behalf.
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