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Voting in the Christchurch East by-election starts today, with the opening of advance and overseas voting.

“It’s important to vote in advance if you can’t get to a voting place in the Christchurch East electorate on election day, Saturday 30 November 2013,” says Robert Peden, Chief Electoral Officer. “There will be no voting places open outside the Christchurch East electorate on election day, so anyone who will be away from the electorate needs to vote in advance.”

“Advance voting makes it easy for anyone who can’t get there on the day. This may be because of work, sickness, infirmity, disability, being away from home or for any other reason,” says Mr Peden. “Advance voting is available at Linwood Library, New Brighton Library, Parklands Community Lounge and Shirley Library.”

Advance votes in the Christchurch East by-election can be cast at one of the advance voting places around the electorate, and can also be cast at the offices of Registrar of Electors across the country or at the Electoral Commission, Manners Street, Wellington.

“To find out where and when you can vote in advance, freephone 0800 36 76 56, or visit our website www.elections.org.nz,” he says.

Voters enrolled in the Christchurch East electorate, but currently overseas, can also vote from Wednesday 13 November. 

“Christchurch East voters going overseas after Wednesday 13 November can vote before they go, at an advance voting place,” says Mr Peden.  “The easiest option for Christchurch East voters currently overseas is to download their voting papers from www.elections.org.nz  and fax or post them back so we receive them by 7pm on election day.”

People overseas can vote in person at overseas posts in London, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and they can also apply to have voting papers posted to them.

Voters can vote in advance in the Christchurch East electorate from Wednesday 13 November at these locations: