Every general election, more than 20,000 New Zealanders across the country join the Electoral Commission to help deliver the election.
With the general election approaching, the Electoral Commission is encouraging New Zealanders to enrol or update their details early.
The 2026 General Election will be held on Saturday 7 November and advance voting will start on Monday 26 October.
If you want to avoid any queues on election day, it’s a great idea to vote early in the advance voting period.
Some changes this year to keep in mind this election
This election will be a little different to the last two general elections.
You need to be enrolled at your current address by 25 October, the day before voting starts in New Zealand. You will not be able to enrol or update your details at a voting place, which is different to previous elections.
Another thing that is changing is the delivery of EasyVote cards.
This year, the Electoral Commission is delivering EasyVote through a mix of post and email to get them to people before voting starts.
You may receive your EasyVote card by email this election year if you have shared your email address with the Commission. If the Commission only has your home address on file, you will still receive your EasyVote by post.
If you receive your EasyVote card by email, all you need to do is take your device with you to the voting place and show it to the person issuing your vote. If it’s easier, take a screenshot of the card or print it out.
Enrol by 4 October to receive an EasyVote card
To make sure you receive an EasyVote card, enrol or update your details by Sunday 4 October.
This means your name will be on the printed electoral roll at the voting place.
You can still enrol after 4 October, before enrolment closes on Sunday 25 October, but you will need to make a special vote and this takes longer.
Remember, you can vote without an EasyVote card! EasyVote cards just make voting a little bit faster and easier.
Update your details if you have moved
It’s important to update your address every time you move so you are enrolled in the electorate where you live.
Enrol, check or update your details online at vote.nz or call the Electoral Commission team for free on 0800 36 76 56 and they can help.
You can also text your name and address to 3676 and the team will send you an enrolment form.
Enrol, vote, and be heard!
