Local Electoral Act 2001

Local elections and polls - Electoral rights

21: Special voting

You could also call this:

"Voting when you're not on the list or can't vote normally"

Illustration for Local Electoral Act 2001

You can vote as a special voter if your name is not on the electoral roll. You can also vote as a special voter if you are on the roll for the whole area, but not for the specific part you live in. You might be able to vote as a special voter for other reasons, such as if you are covered by section 20(2) or (3). You can vote as a special voter if you spoil, lose, or do not get your voting papers. You can also vote as a special voter if you can show it would be hard or inconvenient for you to vote normally. You must meet one of these conditions to vote as a special voter.

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This page was last updated on 27 November 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM93946.

Topics:

Government and voting > Elections

20: Right to vote in election or poll, or

"Who can vote in local elections and polls"

22: Voting by special voters, or

"Voting in a special way if you can't vote normally"

Part 2Local elections and polls
Electoral rights

21Special voting

Any elector may vote at an election or poll as a special voter if—
the elector's name does not appear on the copy of the roll used for that election or poll or has been wrongly deleted from that copy; or
in the case of an election or poll relating to a ward, local board area, community, or constituency, the elector has qualified as an elector and the name of the elector is entered on a roll for the territorial authority or other local authority in whose district or region the ward, local board area, community, or constituency is situated, but is not entered on a roll in respect of that ward, local board area, community, or constituency; or
the elector is a person to whom, for any other reason, section 20(2) or (3) applies; or
the elector spoils, loses, or does not receive his or her voting documents; or
the elector satisfies the electoral officer that it will not be possible or practicable for the elector to vote by casting an ordinary vote without incurring hardship or undue inconvenience.

Notes

Section 21(b): amended, on 8 August 2014, by section 76 of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2014 (2014 No 55).