Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Electoral Act 1993

Elections - Voting

168: Method of voting

You could also call this:

"How to fill in your ballot paper to vote for a party or candidate"

Illustration for Electoral Act 1993

When you get a ballot paper, you go to a private area to vote. You vote by putting a tick in a circle next to the party or candidate you choose. For the party vote, you put a tick after the party's name. For the electorate vote, you put a tick before the candidate's name. You do this on your own and in secret. When you finish voting, you fold the paper so nobody can see your choices.

If your ballot paper only has a party vote or an electorate vote, you still vote in private. You mark your choice with a tick, either for a party or a candidate. Then you fold the paper and put it in the ballot box.

Before you leave the private voting area, you must fold your ballot paper. This is so nobody can see how you voted. Then you put the folded paper in the ballot box.

Nothing in these rules changes what is said in section 178(5)(a)(ii).

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM309831.

Topics:
Government and voting > Elections
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Part 6Elections
Voting

168Method of voting

  1. The voter, having received a ballot paper,—

  2. shall immediately retire into one of the inner compartments provided for the purpose; and
    1. shall there alone and secretly vote—
      1. by marking the party vote with a tick within the circle immediately after the name of the party for which the voter wishes to vote; and
        1. by marking the electorate vote with a tick within the circle immediately before the name of the constituency candidate for whom the voter wishes to vote.

        2. Where the ballot paper comprises only a party vote or only an electorate vote, the provisions of subsection (3) shall apply instead of subsection (1).

        3. The voter, having received a ballot paper,—

        4. shall immediately retire into one of the inner compartments provided for the purpose; and
          1. shall there alone and secretly vote either—
            1. by marking the party vote with a tick within the circle immediately after the name of the party by which the voter wishes to vote; or
              1. by marking the electorate vote with a tick within the circle immediately before the name of the constituency candidate for whom the voter wishes to vote.

              2. Every voter shall, before leaving the inner compartment, fold the ballot paper so that the contents cannot be seen, and shall then deposit it so folded in the ballot box.

              3. Nothing in this section limits the provisions of section 178(5)(a)(ii).

              Notes
              • Section 168: substituted, on , by section 46 of the Electoral Amendment Act (No 2) 1995 (1995 No 61).