(Picture caption: As of today, voting in Aotearoa New Zealand is officially underway until 7pm on election day, October 14.)
Voting in New Zealand’s 2023 General Election is now underway with voting places opening today (October 2).
Overseas voting began on September 27, and the approximately 78,000 enrolled voters abroad can vote until 7pm on election day (October 14) NZT.
Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne says if travelling or based overseas, New Zealanders can still vote in the election.
“The easiest way to vote from overseas is to download your voting papers from the Vote NZ website and return them by upload to the website,” Karl says.
“In 2020, more than 90 percent of overseas voters used this service.
“There are also 74 locations overseas where New Zealanders can vote in person, including 10 voting places in Australia.”
The Vote NZ website also has more information on voting from overseas, including the locations of voting places and the times they are open.
For people who are blind, partially blind, or have a physical disability which means they cannot mark their voting paper without help, the telephone dictation voting service is now open.
Register HERE to use this service.
As of today, voting in Aotearoa New Zealand is officially underway until 7pm on election day.
Karl says voting places will be open before election day in convenient locations including shopping areas, transport hubs, kura, marae, community halls and sports clubs, to make it easy for people to vote as they go about their daily lives.
“Voting before election day, also known as advance voting, has increased in popularity over the years,” he adds.
“In 2020, 68 percent of votes were cast before election day.
“More than 400 voting places will be open today – and that number will increase as we head towards election day.
“The days and hours voting places are open before election day vary, so check before you go to vote.”
Find your nearest voting place online HERE or by calling 0800 36 76 56.
On election day, October 14, more than 2,300 voting places will be open from 9am to 7pm.
People enrolled by September 10 should get an EasyVote pack in the mail which includes a list of your local voting places.
It also includes an EasyVote card which will make voting faster at the voting place.
For those not enrolled yet, it is not too late - eligible voters can fill out an enrolment form and vote at the same time at any voting place, including on election day.
Visit the Vote NZ website for more information.