Go to Download Voting Papers - FAQs

 

Enrol Online Application

 

I have only changed my details. Why have you sent me an "Enrolling to Vote" application? 

 

The same form is used for new enrolments and changing details. Simply sign and return the form.

 

When I try to use your site I get a "data decryption error". What is wrong?

 

A bug in old versions of Internet Explorer running on Macintosh causes this problem. The problem can be fixed by upgrading your version of Internet Explorer or using a different browser such as Firefox

 

Can the electoral roll be searched online?

No. Paper versions of the electoral roll are available at any Registrar of Electors office and most public libraries. Copies can also be purchased. Fax Administration Support on (04) 801 0709 for more information.

 

The "enrol online" application won't accept my phone number. What is wrong?

 

The application should accept any valid phone number. If you are sure that your phone number is correct email webmaster@elections.org.nz . However please check your number again first.

 

The application can't seem to find my new address. What is wrong?

 

If it is a new residence it may not yet be on our system. If you are sure the address is correct ignore the error about the address not existing on the system and choose to get sent a form.

 

I live in the United Kingdom. Why can I not find it in the list of countries?

 

England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are listed as separate countries.

 

The system says that I have entered invalid data! Why?

 

Our system can not accept input of some non English characters. Try entering only ordinary characters (without accents) and see if that solves the problem.

 

Is there an alternative to enrolling online?

Yes, you download the form or you can pick up an enrolment form called "Enrolling to vote: Application" from your nearest New Zealand PostShop which you can fill in and leave at the counter or send back freepost. 

Or, phone us free on 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56), from overseas +64 4 801 0700, or send your name and address to Freetext 3676, and we will post the form out to you.

 

Download Voting Papers Application

 

The system says that it can't find me. I am enrolled! What is the problem?

 

Several things could be wrong. Please try the following:

• Different variations of your street name and type. e.g. Smith Street / Smith Avenue
• Make sure you typed your New Zealand residential street name and number into separate boxes.
• Use your last New Zealand residential address rather than a postal or overseas address.
• Make sure you included flat numbers (e.g. 2/36) or house alphas (e.g. 262B) in your house number.
• Entering your details with and without your middle name as you may have included it when enrolling.

If these steps fail click here and re-enrol, fill in the boxes, download a form, sign it, and send it back to us (by fax, email or post).

Voters on the unpublished roll can not download voting papers. If you are on the unpublished roll you can apply for a postal vote or vote in person at an overseas post (.pdf 38KB)

 

I live overseas but my last New Zealand address is on the declaration. Why?

 

You must be enrolled in a New Zealand parliamentary electorate to vote in the general election. If you currently live overseas then the last New Zealand residential address that you lived at for a full calendar month becomes where you are enrolled.

 

I've made a mistake on my ballot paper. What do I do?

If you have 'spoilt' your ballot paper (for example, by marking a candidate or party that you do not wish to vote for) you must throw away both the declaration AND ballot paper then download another complete set of papers. The unique six digit numbers at the top of the ballot paper and declaration must match. If the number on your declaration does not match the number on your ballot paper then your vote may not count.

I've made a mistake on  my declaration. What do I do?

 

If you have 'spoilt' your declaration (for example you have written the wrong address down) you must throw away both the declaration AND ballot paper then download another complete set of papers. The unique six digit numbers at the top of the ballot paper and declaration must match. If the number on your declaration does not match the number on your ballot paper then your vote may not count.

 

I can't download my voting papers. Why not?

 

If you are not enrolled then you will not be able to download your voting papers. The computer you are using must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader (or an equivalent PDF viewer) installed for you to be able to open and print your voting papers.
If you are having trouble accessing the voting paper download link it may help to try right-clicking on the link and selecting “Save As”.

 

The download of the voting papers is very slow.

 

The speed of the download will depend on the type of internet connection you are using. If you are using a dial-up account, where you connect to the internet each time you intend to use it, the download may take longer. If you are using a broadband account (DSL or Cable), where your computer is always connected to the internet, the download will be faster. We have made the files as small as possible to increase the speed of downloading them.

 

Can I have my voting papers emailed to me?

 

No. There are strict regulations governing the conditions under which voting papers can be sent electronically.

 

Can I email my voting papers to you?

 

No. There are strict regulations governing how voting papers can be returned. They can be returned by fax to +64 4 494 2300, by post to the Chief Electoral Office, PO Box 3220, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand or by post or personal delivery to one of the overseas posts.

 

Can I download my papers from within New Zealand?

 

No. Only overseas voters are permitted to vote by downloading voting papers and faxing/posting them back. Any papers faxed or posted from within New Zealand will not be accepted. Attempting to vote from within New Zealand using papers downloaded from the internet is a criminal offence.
 

I don't know if I'm enrolled or not.

 

When you enter your details the online application will show if you are enrolled. If you are not enrolled then you can download an enrolment form here. As long as your completed form is received by a Registrar of Electors before election day you will still be able to vote in this election by post or in person at an overseas post.

Voting papers will only be available for download once your Registrar of Electors has accepted and processed your enrolment form. Your Registrar of Electors will require up to 24 hours from receipt of your enrolment form before you are able to download your voting papers. If you want to download voting papers then we recommend that you enrol in plenty of time for your enrolment to be accepted and for you to complete your vote.

I'm not enrolled. What do I do?

 

You can download an enrolment form here . As long as your completed form is received by a Registrar of Electors before election day you will still be able to vote in this election by post or in person at an overseas post.

Voting papers will only be available for download once your Registrar of Electors has accepted and processed your enrolment form. Your Registrar of Electors will require up to 24 hours from receipt of your enrolment form before you are able to download your voting papers. If you wish to download voting papers then we recommend that you enrol in plenty of time for your enrolment to be accepted and for you to complete your vote.

 

I'm not enrolled and want to download voting papers. Is it too late?

 

You will be able to download voting papers once your enrolment has been accepted and processed by your Registrar of Electors. Registrars of Electors will be processing overseas enrolments up until 10.00am on polling day, NZDT time.

Please note that, once your enrolment is approved, voting papers will only be available for download until polls close at 7:00pm NZDT. We recommend you keep time-zone differences in mind and enrol at least 24 hours before election day.

When you enter your last New Zealand address into the enrolment application, your electorate will be identified automatically. All you need to do is enter your name, date of birth and last New Zealand residential address.

 

I'm on the unpublished roll. Can I download my voting papers?

No. If you are on the unpublished roll then you will not be able to download your voting papers. However you can still apply for a postal vote or vote in person at an overseas post (.pdf 38KB)

 

We're a couple. Can we vote using the same declaration and ballot paper?

 

No. Every voter must use their own ballot paper and declaration.

 

I'm enrolled in the wrong electorate. What do I do?

 

You can amend your enrolment details by completing an enrolment form and sending it to a Registrar of Electors here. As long as your completed form is received by a Registrar of Electors before election day you will still be able to vote in this election by post or in person at an overseas post (.pdf 38KB)

You will only be able to download voting papers for the correct electorate if your Registrar of Electors has moved you onto the roll for that electorate. Your Registrar of Electors will require up to 24 hours from receipt of your enrolment form before you are able to download your voting papers for the correct electorate. If you wish to download voting papers then we recommend that you amend your enrolment details giving enough time for this to be actioned and for you to complete your vote.

 

What Browsers, Operating Systems, and PDF viewers are compatible with the Download Voting Papers application?

 

Click here (.pdf 31KB) for information on tested configurations for the Download Voting Papers application.