EasyVote cards are on their way
EasyVote cards are on their way to voters for the start of voting in the 2026 General Election.
“If you were enrolled by 4 October you’ll be sent an EasyVote card by email or post. It will include a list of the electorate candidates you can vote for,” says Karl Le Quesne, Chief Electoral Officer.
“You don’t need an EasyVote card to vote, but if you take it with you, it makes voting quicker and easier.
“If you’ve told us your email address, we’ll send your EasyVote card by email. If we just have your postal address or you are on the unpublished roll, we’ll send it by post.
“This is the first time we’ve used a mix of email and post to deliver EasyVote cards, so more voters receive their card before advance voting starts on 26 October.”
More than 2.2 million cards will be sent by email between 14 and 22 October. The EasyVote emails are from no-reply@easy.vote.nz and any follow up text messages from 5101.
Postal delivery of 1.3 million cards will also start on 14 October with the vast majority expected to be delivered before the start of advance voting.
Using your EasyVote card
“When you go to vote, take your EasyVote card with you and show it to the workers at your voting place. They’ll use it to help find you on the electoral roll so they can mark you off and give you your voting papers,” says Karl Le Quesne.
“If you get your EasyVote card by post, you can tear off the card from the bottom corner of your letter or bring the whole letter.
“If you get your EasyVote card by email, you can bring it in on your phone to show us. You can also take a screenshot or print it out.
“Remember, if none of those options suit, you can vote without your EasyVote card,” says Karl Le Quesne.
Party lists and voting locations
The party lists and a map of voting places are available on vote.nz or you can call 0800 36 76 56 to ask about your closest voting place. Posters listing your nearest voting places will also be on display at your local supermarket and community library. The days and times advance voting places are open vary, so make sure you check before you go to vote.
25 October is the deadline to enrol
“If you haven’t enrolled yet, there’s still time. Make sure you’re enrolled and your details are up to date by midnight, Sunday 25 October so your vote counts,” says Karl Le Quesne.
You can enrol or update your address if you’ve moved online at vote.nz using your New Zealand driver licence, New Zealand passport or RealMe verified identity. Or you can call 0800 36 76 56 for help.
“If you’ve filled in a paper enrolment form, the quickest way to get it back to us is to scan or photograph it and email it to enrol@vote.nz or upload it at vote.nz/upload.
“If you’re returning your form by post, we recommend posting it no later than Tuesday 20 October to help ensure it reaches us by the enrolment deadline.”
Key election dates
- 14 October – Delivery of EasyVote cards starts
- 21 October – Overseas and telephone dictation voting starts
- 25 October – Deadline to enrol for this election
- 26 October – Advance voting starts
- 7 November – Election day. Voting places are open from 9am to 7pm
Links to more information
- Communications from the Electoral Commission
- Voting place locations
- Party lists
- Electorate candidates
- Enrol or update your details at vote.nz/enrol