Election Access Fund online application

Introduction

In 2020, the Election Access Fund Act was passed.

This Act enabled the Electoral Commission to set up and run the Election Access Fund.

The Fund assists disabled people who want to put themselves forward for election to Parliament. It can help with disability-related costs to do candidate activities. The Fund works alongside the costs of candidate activities that everyone has.

Before you start this online application process please ensure you have read through the Election Access Fund application guidelines and have your supporting documents ready.

Help with your application

If you need help to complete this form, we can meet with you.

Meetings can be done by phone, or online by Zoom or Microsoft Teams. If you would prefer to complete the form yourself, we can give you guidance if you have questions.

If you would like us to help you complete this form, please call 0800 36 76 56 or email us on electionaccessfund@elections.govt.nz with the following information:

Your preferred method of contact (Phone call, Zoom, Microsoft Teams or other).
If you will have a support person or agent with you, and if so, their name.
Any support or access accommodations you need during the meeting, such as NZSL interpreters, electronic documents or text-based communication.
Cultural support needs.

Preparing your application

Before completing this online application, please read all questions carefully and prepare the documents you need.

Some questions are optional and we will indicate this throughout the process.

Please give us as much information as you can, as this will help us process your application faster.

Please make sure you read and understand the information on how to apply to the Election Access Fund.

This information is also available in alternate formats.

Eligibility

Before you begin your application, make sure you meet the following eligibility criteria and understand the following rules.

To be eligible you must:

be a disabled person, as described in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
have a disability, access need or impairment that has lasted or will last for longer than six (6) months.
be standing as a candidate in, or seeking selection as a candidate in a parliamentary general election or by-election
be experiencing, or will experience, barriers to standing or seeking selection as a result of your disability or access need, which non-disabled people do not have
meet the requirements to be a candidate under the Electoral Act 1993:
- At least 18 years old on or before nomination day or by the day the current Parliament expires.
- A New Zealand citizen
- Registered as an elector, and
- Not otherwise disqualified for registration.

At the end of this online application process you will need to upload a signed legal declaration where you need to declare you are eligible to apply and will use the fund appropriately. You can access the legal declaration form on this page.

First Name

Last Name

Date of Birth

Phone Number

E-mail Address

Street Address

City

Region

Postcode

Country

How would you like to be contacted about the next steps in your application?

Phone call (Please tell us the best time to contact you)

Text message

E-mail

Other

If you want us to call you, please tell us the best time (hours and days)

If you chose other, please tell us how you want to be contacted

Do you plan to stand for a political party?

Yes, I plan to stand for a political party

No, I do not plan to stand for a political party

If you plan to stand for a political party, you need to notify your party and provide us with a copy of your email or letter. You can attach this at the end of this application process.

Do you plan to stand as an independent candidate?

Yes, I plan to stand as an independent candidate

No, I do not plan to stand as an independent candidate

If you plan to stand as an independent candidate, you will need to include a copy of your public announcement stating that you are standing as a candidate. You can attach this at the end of this application process.

The following questions are optional. They help us get to know more about you and provide context for your application. The information will not impact the outcome of your application in any way:

Have you been involved with politics or civic engagement before?

No, I’m new to politics and/or civic engagement

Yes, I’ve been involved in politics at a national level

Yes, I’ve been involved in politics for my region or in local government

Other

If Other, please describe

Tell us about your experience with politics or civic engagement.

This section asks you to tell us in your own way about the disability-related support you need. You can also tell us why having this support is important for you during your candidacy. This is important because it helps us get to know more about you and your unique support needs. Please tell us as much as you feel comfortable to share.

The Fund can help with costs for disability-related support to do the activities required to stand as a political candidate. The Fund does not support the costs of activities that should be covered by political parties, if you belong to a party. Examples include the party having information in formats that can be read by screen readers, and disability training for your party colleagues.

The Fund does not cover disability-related costs covered by other sources of funding, such as ACC or individualised funding.

On the next and final page you will be asked to upload your supporting documents, including your budget and quotes.

Please tell us about the support you are applying for. For example: I am unable to drive due to my impairment. I am seeking assistance with transport to get to and from meetings.

Please tell us how having this support would impact your candidacy activities. For example: Having support to locate accessible venues and accommodation means I can travel with confidence, knowing that when I arrive, my access needs are met and I can safe

Is there anything else you would like us to know about your disability and/or support needs? For example, other considerations such as whānau or family support you have available, equipment you already have, or services you use that work for you.

I will upload my documents via this page

I will email my documents to electionaccessfund@elections.govt.nz

Please attach your completed and signed legal declaration

Please attach a copy of an email or letter to your party secretary saying that you are seeking selection or, a copy of your public announcement that you are standing as a candidate

Please include your completed budget

Please attach your evidence for equipment and services, for multiple files please attach below. If you have additional files you can email them to electionaccessfund@elections.govt.nz