Advance voting begins in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti By-election
The first votes in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election will be made from today with the opening of advance and overseas voting.
“Early voting is essential for anyone who cannot get to a voting place in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate on election day, Saturday 29 June 2013,” says Robert Peden, Chief Electoral Officer. “Unlike a general election, there will be no polling places open outside the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate on election day, so anyone who will be outside the electorate should vote in advance.”
“There can be many reasons that someone decides to cast an advance vote. They could be travelling, working, sick, or outside of the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate for any reason,” says Mr Peden.
Advance votes in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election can be cast at any of the 22 facilities across 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.
“It’s easy to find out where and when you can vote in advance,” says Mr Peden. “You can freephone 0800 36 76 56, or visit our website www.elections.org.nz.”
Voters enrolled in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate, but currently overseas, can also vote from Wednesday.
“Any Ikaroa-Rāwhiti voters going overseas after Wednesday 12 June can vote before they go away, at any advance voting place,” says Mr Peden. “Full information on advance or overseas voting is available on our website.”
“The simplest option for people overseas is to download their voting papers from the elections website www.elections.org.nz and fax or post them back so we receive them by 7pm on election day,” says Mr Peden.
People overseas can vote in person at overseas posts in London, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, and they can also apply to have voting papers posted to them.
Advance voting will be available from Wednesday 12 June in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate at these locations.