2025 Electoral Amendment Bill - Electoral Law Changes
This article includes:
- What's changing about enrolment?
- When will I need to enrol for the 2026 General Election?
- What will the Commission be doing to help people enrol?
- When is the election?
- Does this apply to local elections?
- Would these rules apply if there was a parliamentary by-election next year?
- Will prisoners be able to vote?
- Are the changes to eligibility for permanent residents?
- Can you provide more information on this?
- Why do you need my email and phone number when I enrol?
- Where can I find out more information about these law changes?
- Will these law changes mean we know who wins the election sooner?
- Why do I need to update my address whenever I move?
- Can we still host a sausage sizzle outside a polling station on election day?
- How will you use my personal information?
What's changing about enrolment?
New electoral laws mean that you will need to be enrolled before voting starts at a general election.
There are two steps – make sure you are enrolled before the election, vote at election time.
When will I need to enrol for the 2026 General Election?
You will need to make sure you are enrolled before voting begins; enrolment will close 13 days before election day. We will let you know when you need to enrol by and how to do it.
What will the Commission be doing to help people enrol?
The Commission will undertake a nationwide information and education programme to let you and your community know when you need to enrol by, and how to do it. It will include advertising and community engagement.
When is the election?
There will be a general election in 2026, but we don’t know the date yet. The date will be set by the Prime Minister.
Does this apply to local elections?
The enrolment date for local elections is different. Enrolment closes the day before election day in local elections.
The changes to prisoner voting rights apply to local elections as well as parliamentary elections.
Would these rules apply if there was a parliamentary by-election next year?
If a parliamentary by-election was held next year, the enrolment deadline prior to the law change would apply, and people could enrol on election day. All of the other new rules would apply to the by-election.
Will prisoners be able to vote?
The ban on voting for prisoners sentenced to more than three years will be extended to also include prisoners sentenced to less than three years for offences committed after the Bill takes effect (from 20 December 2025).
Are there changes to eligibility for permanent residents?
The law no longer refers to permanent residents. You can enrol and vote if you are 18 years or older, have lived in New Zealand for 12 months or more continuously at some time in your life, and you are a New Zealand citizen or resident for electoral purposes.
A resident for electoral purposes means you are living in New Zealand lawfully and you’re not required to leave within a specified time.
Can you provide more information on this?
A resident for electoral purposes includes someone who holds a valid resident or other visa if:
- you live in New Zealand
- your visa does not require you to leave New Zealand within a specified time
- you have lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life
- you are in New Zealand legally
- you are not subject to sections 15 or 16 of the Immigration Act, for example have a conviction for certain offences or have been deported from New Zealand or another country.
If you hold a 2021 Resident Visa, and you meet the criteria above, you are eligible to enrol and vote in New Zealand.
If you are on a work or study visa that requires you to leave New Zealand by a certain date you are not eligible to enrol and vote.
Why do you need my email and phone number when I enrol?
Having your email and phone number as well as your street address makes it easier for us to contact you. This information is only used for enrolment purposes.
Where can I find out more information about these law changes?
More information can be found on the Electoral Commission websites. We are still in the process of updating vote.nz and elections.nz
Will these law changes mean we know who wins the election sooner?
Our process for counting votes is very thorough and careful. Official results will be released 20 days after voting closes. This is the same timeframe as the 2020 and 2023 elections.
Why do I need to update my address whenever I move?
It’s important to update your details every time you change address to remain eligible to vote. The electorate that you are eligible to vote in depends on where you live. It also means we can send you information about the election, including an EasyVote card.
Can we still host a sausage sizzle outside a polling station on election day?
It is now an offence to offer free food, drink or entertainment within 100m of the entrance to a voting place during voting hours. Paying for food at a sausage sizzle is still okay.
How will you use my personal information?
To keep the electoral rolls up to date for general elections, referendums and local elections and to carry out our statutory duties to deliver enrolment and voting services.
We also give your personal information to other people and organisations when the law requires or allows it. We only use your information for these purposes. Further information is available here: Privacy & security | Elections