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Local Electoral Act 2001

Conduct of elections and polls - Voting, processing, and counting of votes

75: What voting documents for election must contain

You could also call this:

"What information must be on your voting paper?"

Illustration for Local Electoral Act 2001

When you vote in an election, your voting document must have certain information on it. You must be told how to fill it out and what to do if you make a mistake. You will also be told what to do with the document after you vote. Your voting document must have your name and the name of the area you are voting in. It must also have the names of the people running in the election and what position they are running for. If some candidates have the same name, the document must have information to help you tell them apart. The document must show you how to vote and warn you about things you should not do when voting, such as offences under sections 122(1)(a), 123(1)(c), and 124(b). The voting document can have other information to help you vote and to keep your vote secret. This information can be in a language other than English to help all voters.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM94385.

Topics:
Government and voting > Elections
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Part 3Conduct of elections and polls
Voting, processing, and counting of votes

75What voting documents for election must contain

  1. Every voting document for an election must contain the following directions to the voter:

  2. the voter should read the directions carefully before voting; and
    1. if the First Past the Post electoral system is being used at the election,—
      1. how and where on the voting document a voter exercises his or her vote (for example, a tick against a box); and
        1. the minimum and maximum number of candidates for which a voter may exercise his or her vote; and
        2. if the Single Transferable Voting electoral system is being used at the election,—
          1. how and where on the voting document a voter indicates his or her preferences; and
            1. the minimum and maximum number of candidates for which a voter may indicate his or her preferences; and
            2. what the voter should do if he or she spoils the voting document; and
              1. what the voter must do with the voting document after voting; and
                1. any other relevant requirements that are particular to the voting method or the electoral system that is being used.

                  1. In addition to the directions to the voter, every voting document for an election must contain the following:

                  2. information necessary to identify the elector on the electoral roll and the voting documents issued to that elector; and
                    1. the name of the local government area to which the election relates; and
                      1. the position or positions to be filled at the election; and
                        1. the name under which each candidate is seeking election, and the name of any organisation or group with which the candidate claims to be affiliated or, if applicable, the status of the candidate as an independent candidate; and
                          1. information that is necessary to distinguish any candidates that have the same or very similar names; and
                            1. an illustration of how and where the voter indicates his or her choice or preferences, as the case may be; and
                              1. a warning describing the offences that a person may commit under sections 122(1)(a), 123(1)(c), and 124(b).

                                1. Voting documents for an election may contain any other information that the electoral officer considers appropriate to ensure that—

                                2. all electors who are qualified to vote have a reasonable and equal opportunity to vote (including, without limitation, information in a language other than English); and
                                  1. the secrecy of the vote is maintained.

                                    Notes
                                    • Section 75(2)(f): amended, on , by section 25(1) of the Local Electoral Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 40).
                                    • Section 75(2)(g): inserted, on , by section 25(2) of the Local Electoral Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 40).