Elections 101

The PSA Youth team have got you covered with Elections 101.

They have put together questions and answers on your rights, an why and how to vote

When is election day?

Saturday 14th October.

You can vote any time from the 2nd to the 14th of October.

What am I voting on in the general election?

You get two votes in the election — a party vote and an electorate vote. Your party vote is for the political party you want to be in government. Your electorate vote is for the candidate you would like to be the MP for the area you live in.

Why vote?

Voting is a chance to select a party that will represent your views in Parliament. Technically you don’t have to vote. However, if you have concerns, views, or things that you want to see changed in this country, voting is one of the most powerful things you can do. You are voting in the people that make the decisions.

Does my one vote even matter?

Yes, it does. To name a couple of times when voting counted look back the very close vote on the cannabis referendum, a few votes could have tipped the scales for that to be passed. There was the referendum on the changing of the New Zealand flag, which saw us keep the current flag. One vote can make a difference and you don’t want it to be yours that is missing!

How can I register to vote?

If you haven’t registered to vote, or your details might be in correct e.g. you have moved house recently visit vote.nz to enrol or update your details.

What is the difference between the Māori roll and the General Roll?

Māori can choose to vote on the Māori role. Choosing to enrol on the Māori roll means that you will vote for a candidate in their Māori electorate, instead of their general electorate. The person who wins the most votes in the Māori electorate will become your local MP.

How do I know what electorate I am part of?

If your address is up to date, you will receive an electoral pack which contains all the information you need to know. You can check your details and find out your electorate by visiting vote.nz.

Do I have to vote on the day of elections?

You can vote early. Early voting opens on Monday 2 October. And you can vote on Election Day, but this is the last chance you will have to complete your vote. Polls are open until 7pm on Election Day.

If you can’t get to early voting, and you have to work on Election Day, your employer must give you reasonable time off to vote.

Where can I go to vote?

There are heaps of locations you can vote in! Schools, libraries, public halls, and churches all around your town will have voting places open. You will get a list of places you can vote at in your election pack, or you can go to vote.nz.

Can I vote online?

Only if you live overseas

What if I am out of my electorate while voting is open?

You can cast what is called a special vote.

If you’re somewhere else in the country while voting is open, go to your nearest voting place with your ID. The scrutineers will look you up in the system and give you a special voting form so you can still vote for your local electorate even though you are not at home.

How do I know who to vote for? And where can I find out more about who to vote for?

Start with research. If you aren’t familiar with the parties, you can start with the political parties’ websites, which contain information about their policies and their candidates.

From there consider how you view the world, what you want changed, and what politicians and parties fit within that.

When considering who to vote for, find out what the parties’ positions or statements are, and check if they align with your views.

Have a look at the included pull-out score card. We asked the parties questions about issues that are important to our members, and parties’ answers can help inform you vote.

For more information on early voting, overseas voting, and registering to vote visit vote.nz. For
further information on the election and parties' positions, visit standtogether2023.co.nz