Can I still enrol after the printed (writ day) rolls close?

You can still apply to be enrolled after the rolls close, but you will need to cast a special declaration vote because your name will not appear on the printed roll that will be used on election day.

A member of my family is returning from overseas after the printed rolls close. Can they still enrol?

Yes, but they will need to cast a special declaration vote as their name will not appear on the printed roll.

I have recently moved to another electorate. I will not have lived there for one month when the printed rolls close, but will have before election day. Do I vote in my old electorate or my new electorate?

You should vote in the electorate where you most recently lived for one month, as at election day. When you have been at your new address for one month, complete a new enrolment form. The registrar of electors will automatically send one to you if you have filled in a New Zealand Post mail redirection form. If you didn't fill in a mail redirection form click Do it here! to update your details online.

I turn 18 after the printed roll closure but before, or on, election day. Can I still enrol?

You can still enrol although you can't vote until you turn 18. You can enrol at 17 by completing an application for enrolment form. The completed form must be received at any New Zealand Post Mail Service Centre, PostShop, New Zealand Post Agency or registrar of electors office by the last working day before the election. You will then automatically be enrolled when you turn 18.  Click Do it here! to enrol online.

Has anyone been prosecuted for not enrolling?

No, but under the Electoral Act 1993 eligible electors who don't enrol can be prosecuted. Rather than prosecuting people, the Electoral Enrolment Centre prefers to encourage eligible electors to enrol. Enrolling is easy, quick to do and allows you to have your say in elections, referenda and polls.  Click Do it here! to enrol online.

What happens if you vote but are not enrolled?

It is likely that your vote won't count. After each election, special declaration votes are checked to make sure that the vote was cast by someone who was correctly enrolled. If you have not enrolled, it is likely that your vote will be disallowed.

Any further queries?

Send an e-mail to enrol@elections.org.nz