Keep up as Kiwis head to the polls

With voting for this year’s general election closing in a few hours, here is all you need to know for the big day.

Many Kiwis got out early to vote, but there were still a lot of people who hadn’t, Electoral Commission chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne said.

“We don’t want them to miss out,” he said. “It’s important that you have your say on who represents you in Parliament for the next three years.” Saturday is your final chance to enrol, vote and be heard.”

By the end of Wednesday, nearly 1 million ordinary votes had been cast. But the Electoral Commission said there would be “plenty of opportunity” for everyone else to vote, with more than 2300 polling places open around the country today.

Voters can go to any location, but the process will likely be faster, and won’t require a special vote, if you vote in your electorate or at one of the polling places that support your electorate.

The Electoral Commission said voters who had their EasyVote card should take it with them to speed up the process, but people could still vote without one.

Le Quesne said voting booths in

It’s important that you have your say on who represents you in Parliament. Karl Le Quesne

malls had been particularly popular this election and were expected to be busy again today.

“We also have other voting places available close to home including at schools and community halls.”

You can check where your closest polling place is online at vote.nz or by calling 0800 36 76 56.

Le Quesne added voters in the Port Waikato electorate were encouraged to cast their party vote.

Following the death of Act candidate Neil Christensen, the Port Waikato electorate votes will not be counted, and a by-election will be held next month.

After voting closes at 7pm, the preliminary results will be released progressively at electionresults.govt.nz.

Results from 95 per cent of polling places are expected to be released by 11.30pm with official results to be declared on November 3.

Because of Electoral Commission rules, today’s Weekend Herald does not feature any news articles on the election campaign.

For full election results coverage, ● go to nzherald.co.nz from 7pm.