How to vote in 2026
Everything you actually have to do, in order. Enrolment and voting are run by the Electoral Commission — the steps below link through to the official pages, and this site is not official electoral advice.
1. Check you can vote
You can vote if you are 18 or over, are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and have lived in New Zealand continuously for at least a year at some point in your life.
2. Enrol, or check your details are right
Enrolling puts you on the roll and sets your electorate. If you have moved, update your address — an out-of-date address means the wrong electorate on your ballot paper.
Enrol or update at vote.nz ↗3. Choose your roll if you are of Māori descent
Voters of Māori descent can be on the general roll or the Māori roll, and can switch at any time except in the short period before an election. The choice decides whether you vote in a general or a Māori electorate.
About the Māori roll ↗4. Know your two votes
One orange paper, two ticks. The party vote on the left decides how many seats each party gets. The electorate vote on the right picks your local MP. Two ticks in one column spoils that vote.
5. Vote early or on the day
Advance voting runs for about two weeks beforehand, and you can vote at any voting place in the country — not just one in your own electorate. On election day, voting places are open 9am to 7pm.
Find voting places ↗6. If you are overseas
Overseas voting opens earlier. You can download and upload your ballot papers, or vote in person at an overseas voting place such as an embassy or consulate.
Voting from overseas ↗Key dates
- Sun, 25 October 2026Enrolment closes
Last day to enrol to vote in this election. Anyone enrolling after Writ Day (4 October) casts a special vote.
- Mon, 26 October 2026Advance voting starts
Advance voting places open across the country and run until the day before election day. Overseas voting starts 21 October.
- Sat, 7 November 2026Election day
Voting places are open 9am to 7pm. Preliminary results are released progressively from 7pm; official results are declared 27 November.
Full election timetable
- Mon, 7 September 2026Candidate nominations open
- Thu, 1 October 2026Dissolution of Parliament
- Sun, 4 October 2026Writ Day — election formally directed
- Thu, 8 October 2026Nominations close (noon)
- Wed, 21 October 2026Overseas voting starts
- Sun, 25 October 2026Last day to enrol
- Mon, 26 October 2026Advance voting starts
- Fri, 6 November 2026Election advertising ends
- Sat, 7 November 2026Election day, 9am–7pm
- Fri, 27 November 2026Official results declared
- Thu, 3 December 2026Last day for return of the writ
The full official timetable
- Mon, 7 September 2026Candidate nominations open
- Thu, 1 October 2026Dissolution of Parliament
- Sun, 4 October 2026Writ Day — election formally directed
- Thu, 8 October 2026Nominations close (noon)
- Wed, 21 October 2026Overseas voting starts
- Sun, 25 October 2026Last day to enrol
- Mon, 26 October 2026Advance voting starts
- Fri, 6 November 2026Election advertising ends
- Sat, 7 November 2026Election day, 9am–7pm
- Fri, 27 November 2026Official results declared
- Thu, 3 December 2026Last day for return of the writ
Common questions
Do I need ID to vote?
Not usually. If you are enrolled, you give your name and address and they find you on the roll. If you enrol at the same time as voting, you cast a special vote and may be asked for identification or proof of address.
What if I am not sure I am enrolled?
Check your details at vote.nz. If you are not on the roll, you can still enrol and vote at the same time, including on election day — that becomes a special vote and takes longer to count.
Can I vote if I cannot get to a voting place?
Yes. Telephone dictation voting is available for people who are blind, low-vision or have a physical disability, and voting services visit hospitals, rest homes and some remote areas.
What if I make a mistake on my paper?
Take it back to the person who issued it and ask for a replacement before you put it in the box.
When will I know the result?
Preliminary results come out on election night from 7pm. Official results, including special votes, are declared about three weeks later and can move a seat or two.