Vote in a general election or referendum

When you’re enrolled, you can vote in general elections, by-elections and referendums.

Check you’re enrolled to vote

Make sure you’re enrolled and your contact details are up to date.

Enrol to vote

Vote in a general election

New Zealand has a general election every 3 years to choose the government. In a general election you have 2 votes:

  • 1 vote for a political party
  • 1 vote for a candidate to be a Member of Parliament (MP) and represent the area you live in — called your electorate.

The next general election

The next general election is Saturday .

You can vote before election day during the advance voting period. Advance voting begins Monday .

EasyVote card

If you’re enrolled by , you’ll get an EasyVote card to make voting faster and easier.

You’ll get your EasyVote card:

  • by email if you have an email address on your enrolment
  • in the mail if you do not have an email address on your enrolment.

When you vote, you hand them your EasyVote card or show it on your device.

Voting is in person

Online voting is not available in New Zealand. Only people voting from overseas can submit their vote online.

You vote in person at a voting place such as a:

  • school
  • church
  • community centre.

You can vote at a voting place outside your electorate. This is called a special vote.

What to do — Electoral Commission

If you cannot vote in person

You can still vote. There are other voting options for people who cannot get to a voting place, for example, because of poor health or mobility.

Can’t get to a voting place? — Electoral Commission

Voting with help from a support person

A support person can help you vote. They can:

  • go behind the voting screen with you
  • read out the words and information on your voting paper
  • mark the voting paper for you if you ask them to.

A support person cannot tell you who to vote for.

Need help to vote — Electoral Commission

You cannot vote on someone’s behalf

Even if you have power of attorney, you cannot vote on someone else’s behalf.

The voter must be present and decide who to vote for at the time the vote is cast.

Voting from overseas

Voting papers are not automatically sent to you if you’re overseas. The quickest option is to download, complete and submit your voting papers online. You may also be able to vote at an overseas voting place.

Vote from overseas — Electoral Commission

Rules everyone must follow

There are rules that everyone must follow on election day and during the advance voting period.

Advance voting rules

Election day rules

The Electoral Commission have more information about these rules.

Rules once voting starts and on election day — Electoral Commission

By-election

When an MP leaves during their term, it creates a vacancy in Parliament. Voters in that electorate need to choose a new local MP to represent them.

Referendum

A referendum is a vote on a question proposed by citizens or the government. These can be held at the same time as the general election or separately.

What is a referendum? — Electoral Commission

When held with a general election, you vote in-person at voting places around the country, such as:

  • schools
  • churches
  • community centres.

Any other time a referendum is held, you’ll receive the voting papers by post and you can either:

  • post them back
  • put them in the voting bins around your community.

More information about voting

The Electoral Commission’s websites have:

  • information about enrolling and voting
  • a description of New Zealand’s system of government
  • guidance for political parties and candidates
  • statistics and historical information.

Vote.nz — Electoral Commission

Elections.nz — Electoral Commission

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact the following agency.

Utility links and page information

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