Voting in New Zealand
Citizens and permanent residents, aged 18 years and over, who have lived in New Zealand for one year or more without leaving the country, are required to enrol to vote. However, voting is not compulsory.
Anyone who is enrolled to vote in the General Election can vote on Election Day. You can enroll or update your details to vote electronically with Elections. .
Once enrolled you will receive an information pack.
Polling places will be open between 9am and 7pm on Election Day (26 November).
Check out our key Election dates calendar on the right.
Polling booths will be set up around each electorate.
At the polling place, take your ballot paper to a private booth.
Place a tick by the name of the political party of your choice and a tick by the name of the candidate you would most like to represent your electorate.
What if I’m unable to get to a polling place?
If you won’t be in your electorate on Election Day, or if there are other reasons why you can't get to a polling place you may be able to cast a special declaration vote at an advanced polling station from the Wednesday 17 days before Election Day.
Information on how to do this will be available [here|www.elections.org.nz] from November 2.
Overseas Kiwis
If you are living overseas; a New Zealand citizen and have visited New Zealand within the last three years, or you are a permanent resident of New Zealand and have visited New Zealand in the last 12 months, you can place an overseas vote.
For questions about enrolling, email enrol@elections.org.nz.
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Key Election Dates
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Dissolution of Parliament
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Writ Day
- Governor General issues formal direction to the Electoral Commission to hold the election.
- Electoral Rolls close for printing.
- Voters enrolled after this date cast special declaration votes.
- Candidate and party television and radio advertising may start. -
Bulk Nominations
Last day for registered political parties to bulk nominate their electoral candidates to the Electoral Commission.
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Nominations Day
Last day for political parties to submit list candidates to the Electoral Commission.
Last day for individual nominations to Returning Officers. -
Early voting starts
Advance voting starts for voters who are away from home or unable to get to a polling place on Election Day
Overseas voting starts download voting papers from www.elections.org.nz, vote by post or vote in person at overseas posts in many countries. -
EasyVote Information Packs available
Information packs with EasyVote card sent to voters enrolled by 19 November. -
Enrolments end
- Deadline for election enrolment.
- Advance voting ends.
- All election and referendum advertising must end and signs must be taken down. -
Election Day
Polling places open between 9.00 am and 7.00 pm
Election Night - Preliminary results 7.00 pm and 11.30 pm -
Results declared
Declaration of official results for General Election and referendum (target 2.00 pm)
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Deadline for applications for Judicial Recount
The party secretary may apply to a District Court Judge for a recount of party votes in a particular electorate within three working days of the official result for the electorate being declared.
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Return of Writ
- Last day for Return of Writ by Electoral Commission showing successful electorate candidates.
- Declaration of list members. -
Last day for Parliament to meet
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- 11:51 am Very cold southwesterlies expected for SI
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